were three things I could do--hang on, move to this other trench,
against orders, or go back myself and explain the situation. ... I
moved. ... And then I went back to the C.O. and told him I'd moved. ...
And then I went back to the company again. ... (Quietly) That was
when I became twenty-five. ... or thirty-five. ... or forty-five.

JAMES (recovering himself with an effort). Ah yes, yes. (He coughs
awkwardly.) No doubt points like that frequently crop up in the
trenches. I am glad that you did well out there, and I'm sure your
Colonel would speak kindly of you; but when it comes to choosing a
career for you now that you have left the Army, my advice is not
altogether to be despised. Your father evidently thought so, or he
would not have entrusted you to my care.

PHILIP. My father didn't foresee this war.

JAMES. Yes, yes, but you make too much of this war. All you young
boys seem to think you've come back from France to teach us our
business. You'll find that it is you who'll have to learn, not we.

PHILIP. I'm quite prepared to learn; in fact, I want to.

JAMES. Excellent. Then we can consider that settled.

PHILIP. Well, we haven't settled yet what business I'm going to
learn.

JAMES. I don't think that's very difficult. I propose to take you
into my business. You'll start at the bottom of course, but it will
be a splendid opening for you.