comfortable. It's a most dangerous habit. I nearly found myself dropping
off in front of the fire just now. I don't like this hanging about,
wasting the day. (He opens the paper.)
EMILY. You should have had a nice sleep, dear, while you could. We were
up so late last night listening to Philip's stories.
JAMES. Yes, yes. (He begins a yawn and stifles it hurriedly.) You
mustn't neglect your duties, Emily. I've no doubt you have plenty to do.
EMILY. All right, James, then I'll leave you. But don't be hard on the
boy.
JAMES (sleepily). I shall be just, Emily; you can rely upon that.
EMILY (going to the door). I don't think that's quite what I meant. [She
goes out.]
(JAMES, who is now quite comfortable, begins to nod. He wakes up with a
start, turns over the paper, and nods again. Soon he is breathing deeply
with closed eyes.)
***
PHILIP (coming in). Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was a bit late
for breakfast. (He takes out his pipe.) Are we going to talk business or
what?
JAMES (taking out his match). A _bit_ late! I make it just two hours.
PHILIP (pleasantly). All right, Uncle James. Call it two hours late. Or
twenty-two hours early for tomorrow's breakfast, if you like. (He sits
down in a chair on the opposite side of the table from his uncle, and
lights his pipe.)
JAMES. You smoke now?
PHILIP (staggered). I what?
JAMES (nodding at his pipe). You smoke?
PHILIP. Good heavens! what did yolk think we did in France?
JAMES. Before you start smoking all over the house, I should have
thought you would have asked your aunt's permission.
(PHILIP looks at him in amazement, and then goes to the door.)
PHILIP (calling). Aunt Emily!... Aunt Emily!... Do you mind my smoking
in here?
AUNT EMILY (from upstairs). Of course not, darling.
PHILIP (to JAMES, as he returns to his chair). Of course not, darling.
(He puts back his pipe in his mouth.)
JAMES. Now, understand once and for all, Philip, while you remain in my
house I expect not only punctuality, but also civility and respect. I
will _not_ have impertinence.
PHILIP (unimpressed). Well, that's what I want to talk to you about,
Uncle James. About staying in your house, I mean.
JAMES. I don't know what you do mean.
PHILIP. Well, we don't get on too well together, and I thought perhaps
I'd better take rooms somewhere. You could give me an allowance until I
came into my money. Or I suppose you could give me the money now if you
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