"'We find,'" I continued, treating him with contumely, "'a laughing, giggling, smoking, jazzing, frivolous and slangy crowd of ill-mannered flappers, devoid of all interest in the higher aspects of life and thinking only of the latest fox-trot. What hope have I of finding among such as these the woman who will look after my home and bring up my children?'"
"Hooray!" said John, "that's the stuff to gie 'em."
Margery squeaked with indignation.
"Look after his home, indeed," she choked. "The impertinence of it! The conceited ape! Who does he think he is?"
"Margery," said John in his special deep tone, "you are too young to understand these things."
"Understand them! I should just think I am. I didn't believe such conceit existed in a man nowadays."
"It isn't conceit, my dear Margery; it is the Right Attitude to Adopt," said John, speaking in capitals. "Personally, I admire the man. Begin as you mean to go on, I say."
Margery snorted.
"I should just like to see you beginning then," she said.
"That is precisely what I am going to do," said John, leaning back in his chair and stretching his legs. "I see now that I have always been too easy-going with Cecilia. From now onwards, however, there will be a difference. I shall be master in my own house. In short—er—nous avons changé tout cela! Am I right, Alan?"