BLAYDS (pleased). Ah! You hear, Isobel?
ROYCE. I don’t say that it is my own favourite, but I could quite understand if it were the author’s. There are things about it——
BLAYDS. Isobel, are you listening?
ISOBEL (smiling). Yes, Father.
[211]ROYCE. Things outside your usual range, if I may say so——
BLAYDS (nodding and chuckling). You hear, Isobel? Didn’t I always tell you? Well, well, we mustn’t talk any more about that.... William!
WILLIAM (jumping up). Sir?
BLAYDS. What are you doing?
WILLIAM. Just finishing off a few letters, sir.
BLAYDS. Would you be good enough to bring me my Sordello?