Eliphalet turned over a few pages, stopping here and there. A startling modernity still seemed to spring from every line.
“There is no doubt of its worth,” he mused; “but so very modern!”
“Yes, but, Dads, isn’t that just what it should be? And it is such a wonderful part.”
“I doubt if it would suit me.”
“The wife’s, I mean.”
“I believe,” said Ronald, “people are getting tired of old-fashioned plays.”
“I wonder,” said Eliphalet. “I wonder if that is why——” He stopped, frowned, and struck the table a blow.
“What is it, Dads?”
“Everyone wants to alter the tide of my life to-day.” He rose and started to pace excitedly up and down the room. “Why is it? You want me to break new ground, plough fresh pastures; and they, they say I am done with—finished!”
“Who said that?”