"I have come, not from inclination or delight in an interview which must be distasteful to both of us, but because I believe it my duty to point out the thanklessness of your conduct and to see if you cannot be brought to a proper sense of your obligations."
"Our ideas of my obligations are rather far apart, sir."
"They shouldn't be. You're a mere boy—my son. You should derive your ideas from me until you are capable of formulating correct ideas yourself."
"I'm afraid we can never agree on that," said Bonbright, patiently.
"Your marriage has ended the way such marriages are fated to end," said
Mr. Foote.
"We will not discuss that, please," said Bonbright.
"You made your own bed—"
"And am not complaining about the discomfort of it."
"It is essential that you return to your duty. Your unpleasant experience is over. You are old enough to understand your position as my son, and the responsibilities and duties of it. You are Bonbright Foote VII and the future head of our family. I am being very patient and lenient with you…. You have defied me openly, but I am willing to overlook that, and I am sure your mother will overlook your conduct toward her, providing you return to your place in a frame of mind proper for my son. I think you understand what that is."
"Perfectly, sir. It means to be jammed back in a mold that will turn me out to the family pattern. It means a willingness to give up thinking for myself and accept YOUR thoughts and shape my life by them. It means being a figurehead as long as you live and a replica of yourself when you are gone. That's it, isn't it?"