BROXOPP. Ajax?
NANCY. Ajax defying the lightning.
BROXOPP (pleased). Ah, that was a good idea, wasn’t it? (Declaiming) “Ajax defied the lightning. Why? Because he knew that he was insured against fire with the West End Insurance Company.” (Going over to her work) Have you been doing that for me?
NANCY. Yes, darling, but I can’t get Ajax properly. He doesn’t look as though he’s defying anything.
BROXOPP (looking at Ajax). No, he doesn’t, does he? Yet what a touch you had with suspenders in the old days!
NANCY (sadly). I think suspenders must be easier than Ajaxes—unless, perhaps, it’s because I’m getting old.
BROXOPP (indignantly). Old? You get younger every day.
NANCY. Of course, in a way it’s fun beginning all over again——
BROXOPP. Fun! It’s Life! Did you ever hear of a man called Stephenson? He invented the first steam-engine. He said, “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.” Just what I’ve always said myself. Going there is better fun than getting there. [77]We got there once, Nancy, and now we are going there again.
NANCY. But we’re twenty-five years older.