‘I mean that a boy naturally goes to his mother with his troubles rather than to his father. Rogie tells me everything.’
Mr. Torrance is stung. ‘I daresay he might tell me things he wouldn’t tell you.’
She smiles at this. It is very probably sarcasm.
‘I want you to be serious just now. Why not show more warmth to him, John?’
With an unspoken sigh, ‘It would terrify him, Ellen. Two men show warmth to each other! Shame, woman!’
‘Two men!’ indignantly. ‘John, he is only nineteen.’
‘That’s all,’ patting her hand. ‘Ellen, it is the great age to be to-day, nineteen.’
Emma darts in.
‘Mother, he has unlocked the door! He is taking a last look at himself in the mirror before coming down!’
Having made the great announcement, she is off again.