Colin: Well—to be quite frank with you—I think all this talk about the business being a waste of your life is rather stupid. The world’s in a devil of a mess; we’re all living on a volcano; but, as far as one can be sure of anything, your business is sure; you get a very good screw; you get all your evenings to yourself; in a world where ninety per cent of people are continually anxious about their livelihood, your comfort and comparative wealth are assured. You’re a damned lucky man, John, and you’ve got no right to go about grousing about yourself.
John: Can I be quite frank answering that?
Colin: Of course.
John: There’s one big difference between us.
Colin: Yes?
John: It’s difficult to say.
Colin: Don’t be a fool.
John: You never went into the trenches.
[This causes a sudden stoppage in the dialogue, momentary but the severance is complete; it doesn’t go on in quite the same tone afterwards.
Colin: No. I agree to that difference—very humbly; but I don’t see what difference that makes about the business.