JAMES. [Remembering his promise to CATHERINE.] Nothing.
PETER. Go on, James.
JAMES. I mean swallowed up.
PETER. Swallowed up? Explain yourself, James.
JAMES. I shouldn't have mentioned it.
PETER. Certainly, certainly. Don't be afraid to express an honest opinion.
JAMES. I only meant that you can't shape another's life. We are all free beings and—
PETER. Free? Of course Katie's free—to a certain extent. Do you mean to tell me that any young girl should be freer? Nonsense! She should be happy that I am here to think for her—I! We must think for people who can't think for themselves; and a young girl can't. [Signing an answer to a letter after hastily glancing over it.] You have extraordinary ideas, James.
JAMES. Excuse me, sir; you asked my opinion. I only meant that we can't think for others—any more than we can eat or sleep for them.
PETER. [As though accepting the explanation.] Oh … I see what you mean.