principles as a soldier, but just to make things a bit more fair--
(generously) you shall have it. (He holds it out to him suddenly.)

JAMES (shrinking back again). Certainly not, sir. It might go off
at any moment.

PHILIP (putting it back in his pocket). Oh no; it's quite useless;
there's no detonator. ... (Sternly) Now, then, let's talk business.

JAMES. What do you want me to do?

PHILIP. Strictly speaking, you should be holding your hands over
your head and saying "Kamerad!" However, I'll let you off that. All
I ask from you is that you should be reasonable.

JAMES. And if I refuse, you'll shoot me?

PHILIP. Well, I don't quite know, Uncle James. I expect we should
go through this little scene again to-morrow. You haven't enjoyed
it, have you? Well, there's lots more of it to come. We'll rehearse
it every day. One day, if you go on being unreasonable, the thing
will go off. Of course, you think that I shouldn't have the pluck
to fire. But you can't be quite certain. It's a hundred to one that
I shan't--only I might. Fear--it's a horrible thing. Elderly men
die of it sometimes.

JAMES. Pooh! I'm not to be bluffed like that.

PHILIP (suddenly). You're quite right; you're not that sort. I made
a mistake. (Aiming carefully) I shall have to do it straight off,