Robert.

How on earth should a fellow—ah, rubbish! It was absolutely impossible to foresee it. All the same it happened.

William.

It comes back to me now, little by little; it was pleasant.

[His eyes fill with tears.

Robert (with a slight quiver in his voice).

Sentimental! Just like a woman! There’s one thing certain, our judgment was pretty wide of the mark; we haven’t known the old man really; it’s no use thinking we have.

William.

Father? No, we were all so blind! so blind!

Robert.