lord caversham. Uphold it, sir? How little you know him! Why, he denounced it roundly, and the whole system of modern political finance. This speech is the turning-point in his career, as The Times points out. You should read this article, sir. [Opens The Times.] ‘Sir Robert Chiltern . . . most rising of our young statesmen . . . Brilliant orator . . . Unblemished career . . . Well-known integrity of character . . . Represents what is best in English public life . . . Noble contrast to the lax morality so common among foreign politicians.’ They will never say that of you, sir.
lord goring. I sincerely hope not, father. However, I am delighted at what you tell me about Robert, thoroughly delighted. It shows he has got pluck.
lord caversham. He has got more than pluck, sir, he has got genius.
lord goring. Ah! I prefer pluck. It is not so common, nowadays, as genius is.
lord caversham. I wish you would go into Parliament.
lord goring. My dear father, only people who look dull ever get into the House of Commons, and only people who are dull ever succeed there.
lord caversham. Why don’t you try to do something useful in life?
lord goring. I am far too young.
lord caversham. [Testily.] I hate this affectation of youth, sir. It is a great deal too prevalent nowadays.
lord goring. Youth isn’t an affectation. Youth is an art.