The C. P. Really, I——
The G. E. SIT DOWN!!
The C. P. Oh, if you're going to take it like that, I'll—yes, yes, there I am. Are you happy now?
The G. E. I don't know why I tolerate this impertinence from a whipper-snapper like you. If I did my duty——
The C. P. I know what you're going to say: if you did your duty you'd have me arrested and packed off to prison. Isn't that it? Yes, I thought so. You want to be like old Frederick William. He had Frederick the Great sentenced to death, and, by Jove, he all but had the sentence carried out too. It was a deuced near thing. Frederick William was mad, you know—as mad as a hatter, and——
The G. E. Stop it. I will not have you add to your other misdeeds the crime of irreverence against one of the greatest and worthiest members of our royal House.
The C. P. Well, it's my House as well as yours. I dare say you regret that, but there it is, and you won't alter it by glaring at me and threatening me with your moustache. I'm glare-proof and moustache-proof by this time.
The G. E. What have I done to deserve such a son?
The C. P. If it comes to that there's another way of putting it. What have I done to deserve such a father?—that's what I might ask; but I'm too respectful, too careful of your feelings. And what's my reward? You're always nag-nag-nagging at me, morning, noon and night. Why can't you give it a rest?
The G. E. This is beyond endurance. But it has always been the same from the time you cut your teeth until now—no filial piety, no consideration for your mother and me; only a cross-grained selfishness and bad temper. What happened in India?