Colin: Yes. Supposing when you were single, the girl you loved, out of a sort of access of social duty, had proposed a sort of trial trip before you were——
Mr. Freeman: Social fiddle-sticks! When I was a young man the thing was unthinkable.
| Gwen |  | : But Father!—— |
| John | : When you were young, but—— |
Mr. Freeman (turning on his children and shouting): I will not argue.
Colin: I don’t want to argue either; but I think you might answer my question. What would you do in my place?
Mr. Freeman: Do! Why, good God, sir, I should tell her to go to the devil.
Colin: I’m rather thinking of telling her to do that.
Mr. Freeman: I’m glad to hear it.
Colin: Only if she does, I suppose I shall go with her.
[A very tiny suspicion of a laugh from John is immediately quashed.