'
'Yes, I said so. Don't you think it's good?'
'Why do you tell it to me?'
'Because it's a good story.'
'You are sure, father,' sternly, 'that there is no other reason?' Mr.
Torrance tries to brazen it out, but he looks guilty. 'You know, father,
that is barred.'
Just because he knows that he has been playing it low, Mr. Torrance
snaps angrily, 'What is barred?'
'You know,' says his monitor.
Mr. Torrance shouts.
'I know that you are a young ass.'
'Really, father--'
'Hold your tongue.'
Roger can shout also.
'I must say, father--'
'Be quiet, I tell you.'
It is in the middle of this competition that the lady who dotes on them
both chooses to come back, still without her spectacles.
'Oh dear! And I had hoped---Oh, John!'
Mr. Torrance would like to kick himself.
'My fault,' he says with a groan.
'But whatever is the matter?'
'Nothing, mater.' The war is already making Roger quite smart. 'Only
father wouldn't do as I told him.'
Mr. Torrance cannot keep pace with his son's growth. He raps out, 'Why
the dickens should I?'
Roger is imperturbable; this will be useful in France.
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