FREDERIK. Hartman!
JAMES. Yes?
FREDERIK. Miss Catherine and you and I are no longer children—our positions are altered—please remember that. I'm no longer a student home for the holidays from Amsterdam College. I'm here to learn the business which I am expected to carry on. Miss Catherine is a young lady now, and my uncle looks upon her as his daughter. You are here as my uncle's secretary. That's how we three stand in this house. Don't call me "Frederik," and hereafter be good enough to say, "Miss Grimm."
JAMES. [Amiably.] Very well.
FREDERIK. James: there's a good opportunity for a young man like you in our Florida house. I think that if I spoke for you—
JAMES. Why do you wish to ship me off to Florida?
FREDERIK. I don't understand you, Hartman. I don't wish to ship you off. I am merely thinking of your future. You seem to have changed since—
JAMES. We've all grown up, as you just said. [JAMES has laid some mail on the desk, and is about to leave the room, when FREDERIK speaks again, but in a more friendly manner.
FREDERIK. The old man's aging; do you notice it?
JAMES. Your uncle's mellowing, yes; but that's only to be expected. He's changing foliage with the years.