"To talk of morality, in terms of the Forsyte family, is to talk of the practical rather than the ideal." "The Forsytes don't approve of what they call immorality because it threatens the solid structure of society." "Their society." "There's always a danger, they feel, that property may be diverted from the family into dubious and even uncontrollable hands." "So I was aware, as I drove from Chelsea to Mayfair, that I was already condemned." "Yet I could think only of Helene and our child that was coming." "A love child if ever there was one." "Papa!" "Papa!" "Papa isn't here." "Where has he got to?" "I've really no idea, June." "But I wanted to tell him about the wedding." "Yes, dearest." "Well, you can tell him tomorrow." "Now, look, run upstairs." "There's a good gal." "Nanny's waiting for you." "But say thank you to cousin Soames first." "Thank you, cousin Soames." "It was very kind of you to bring us home." "Really, children nowadays, no manners whatsoever." "But it was kind of you, Soames." "Oh, the heat in that room." "I'm exhausted." "Frances, did anything happen to upset you?" "I mean, is there anything... upset me?" "No, of course not." "Only the heat." "Appalling, wasn't it?" "But it was a lovely reception, and Winifred looked very happy." "I'm so glad for her." "Yes." "Oh, thank goodness for that." "Really, the hats this year are too much." "Well, Soames, I really mustn't keep you any longer." "You've already done far more than your cousinly duty, and I'm really most grateful." "Hello, Soames." "Soames very kindly brought us back from the reception." "So early?" "June was tired." "Yes, of course." "Now you must get back." "I'm obliged to you." "Not at all." "I looked everywhere for your father, but he'd already gone." "I saw him go." "He seemed distressed about something." "You don't miss much, do you?" "No, I try not to." "And I might add, things are being said." "Are they, indeed?" "It's none of my business..." "None at all." "But I'd take care if I were you." "Yes, but I'm not much good at that Soames." "Thank you." "Goodbye." "Don't say I didn't warn you." "Frances." "Not now." "Please, Jo, I have a raging headache." "I'm sorry." "Did you hear what Soames said?" "Of course." "You know what he was hinting at?" "Jo, please." "Do you?" "I am not blind or deaf." "And I'm not totally stupid." "No, of course not." "Well, what have you heard?" "Very little." "You don't imagine I'd listen to poisonous gossip, do you?" "But I've guessed a great deal." "For instance?" "That you're keeping a woman somewhere" "Chelsea, isn't it?" "You didn't guess that." "No." "No." "That, I think, was your dear aunt Juley." "Someone else casually mentioned the number of the street." "I can't remember which particular cat that was." "But you don't know the woman's name?" "Is that important?" " It is to me." "Oh, naturally." "But why should I care?" "One creature of that is very much like any other, I imagine." "This case is perhaps a little different, Frances." "You'll have to know because..." "I want to know nothing." "Nothing at all about it." "After all, it isn't an uncommon situation." "Filthy and degrading, of course, especially for you, but not uncommon." "The thought of it doesn't hurt you?" "I'm not gelous, if that's what you mean." "After all, it isn't as if were exact young lovers." "In fact we are not lovers in any sense of the word, are we?" "So just keep me out of it, Jo." "And when you change this mistress for another, as you will" "I don't wish to know anything about her, either." "And you'd be content for us to continue living together on those terms?" "Have I any choice?" "But there is one thing I should like to know, because it does concern me, and that is why you had to be such a fool about it." "Apparently,our dirty linen is on show all over London." "So if you must indulge in these sordid affairs, try to be a little more discreet about them." "For June's sake, if not for mine." "Scandal soon die down if there's nothing new to feed them on." "This one won't." "I've had a note from my father." "He wants to see me immediately." "Then you'd better go." "Only when I've said what I have to say." "Please." "In a sense, you've made things easier for me." "That was not my..." "don't interrupt.Just listen." "Now you'll be content for this situation to remain as it is as long as everything is kept quiet and respectable." "Well, I can't live like that, and I don't intend to." "I have to choose, Frances, between living with you, or with Helene Hillmer." "And I choose Helene." "Hillmer?" "Not fraulein?" "Oh, well, I see." "That explains a great deal, doesn't it?" "Whole thing's even grubbier than I thought." "Oh, Jo, how could you?" "Under our own roof." "It's disgusting." "Frances, you're avoiding the issue." "I want you to divorce me." "Divorce?" "Are you telling me that you want to marry this common little governess?" "Yes, I want to marry her." "Oh, you're out of your mind." "She's going to have a child, Frances." "My child." "Oh, how romantic." "How quite delightful for you both." "But I really don't see how that affects anything." "She won't be the first slut to have bastards." "Yes, Jo, and better men than you have fathered them." "Oh, Simpson." "Will you call me a cab, please?" "I'm going out." "Oh, thank goodness that's over." "Soames, dear, you've been wonderful." "What your father and I would have done without you... it went quite well." "Yes, dear, it did." "But did you ever see such a collection of stuffy people?" "Just what I was saying to young Partridge." "George, you startled me." "I'm sorry, aunt, but as I said to young Partridge, everywhere you look, nothing but Forsytes." "Droves and herds of Forsytes." "Male and female, created he them superb." "George, dear, are you drunk?" "Not in the least." "Slightly elevated,perhaps." "Then may I suggest that you go home now?" "You know we're all dining with your parents tonight" "Excellent." "If I'm wanted, I shall be at my club." "He is drunk." "If I am, aunt, I am George..." "I don't...ah, yes." "Thirsty work, this marriage, as prince Arthur once remarked." "Did he really?" "The dear prince." "When?" "In the year 1501,I believe." "Goodbye, all." "But I don't understand." "It's all right,mother." "He wasn't referring to the Duke of Cannaught." "Now don't you think we ought to go up and change?" "Yes, indeed." "Your father will fuss if we're late." "Oh, one moment,though." "What was it I came in here for?" "Ah, yes." "Warmson." "Warmson, you've been so helpful." "Thank you, madam" "Now I do hope there's something special for you all tonight in the servant's hall." "Yes, madam." "Mr. Soames has arranged for an ample sufficiency." "Ah, good." "And we're all looking forward to toasting the happiness of mr. and mrs." "Dartie." "Splendid." "Something wrong?" "No, not really." "Everything's been perfect." "Except one tiny thing, perhaps." "Your uncle Jolyon never said goodbye." "So unlike him,I thought." "Yes, he left early." "Jo wasn't here, you know." "I think that upset him." "Oh, dear me, yes." "That wicked young man, to hurt his father so." "And poor Frances." "Oh, she won't take it lying down." "And as for uncle Jolyon, if I'm any judge, there's a great deal more trouble to come." "Well, there it is, father." "Not a very edifying story, I know, but I hope you'll agree that the decision I've made is both right and honorable." "Right?" "Honorable?" "You don't know what you're talking about." "You telling me it's right to abandon your wife?" "That it's honorable to drag her into a divorce action,through scandal and mud?" "That's a pretty sort of honor." "Maybe you're right." "Perhaps I shouldn't have used those words." "No, by God, you shouldn't!" "Perhaps they're only for other people." "Moralists, preachers, judges." "All those people with a vested interest in things as they are." "The established order of society." "Which I belong to." "And so do you." "You've accepted the benefits of this ordered society, and don't pretend you haven't." "Father, I'm trying desperately hard not to pretend any longer." "I've accepted, of course I have, the easy way of life you've given me." "But ever since I've been old enough to look clearly and think for myself, I've realized that I'm nothing." "I do nothing.I create nothing." "I produce nothing." "I'm a parasite..." "living on your kindness and generosity." "I've never heard such nonsense." "Why, Jo, everything I've done has been for you." "First for your mother, and then for you." "That's the whole point." "Father did the same for us." "All of us!" "None of us started from the bottom." "But he did." "His father was fairly small beer." "Yeoman stock, farmers down Dorset way." "But your grandfather had drive and vision." "He came up and took a look at London." "The place was growing like a mushroom, houses needed everywhere." "So your grandfather built them, thousands of them." "Good, practical houses." "He built them, and they built his fortune." "Ten children he had." "Six sons." "And he educated us." "Not Eton and Cambridge like you, Jo." "Well..." "well enough." "Well enough." "Each son got 10,000 pound to himself." "And there was enough for the girls." "Well, that's what we built on." "The education and the money that our father gave us." "Look at us now, one of the best respected families in London." "Do you ever hear your uncles complain about the start he gave us?" "Do I complain?" "I do not because that's the way it should be." "A family growing in prosperity because it is a family." "Pushing up the social ladder." "Each son higher than his father." "The aristocracy of wealth." "What?" "Well, why not?" "Just as good as the other sort." "Better, in some ways." "We don't squander our money." "We invest it." "Shipping, steel, textiles, overseas trade." "It's our capital that's built this country's wealth and don't you forget it." "Oh, Jo... this ordered society you object to is just a collection of families like ours." "I know, father." "I'm well aware of it." "And you, you choose to opt out?" "I wouldn't if there was anything useful for me to do inside." "But in any case, I shan't have the choice, shall I?" "You're society will see to that." "They'll call the tune." "They'll accept Frances, who doesn't love me, and reject Helene, who does." "Well, if they reject her, by God, they reject me." "The question is, father, where do you stand?" "That's a hard question." "The hardest I've ever had to answer." "So I'll ask you one or two first." "Very well." "If Frances agrees to divorce you, what do you intend to live on?" "I've been accepted in a syndicate at Lloyds." "Insurance?" "What you know about insurance?" "Nothing." "But I can learn." "Needs capital." "How much?" "Five thousand." "I've already deposited the securities." "I see." "All the money your mother left you." "Well, all but a thousand." "We can live on that to begin with." "Syndicates pay their accounts three years in arrear." "Are you aware of that?" "Yes." "When your income does start, it'll be 250 pounds a year!" "Oh, father, families have lived on a lot less." "In a very bad year, it might be nothing." "I know." "What about Frances?" "She has her own money." "I've made over the settlement." "Her parents are well-to-do." "I don't they they'll come down too hard on me." "People can be vindictive, though." "And June?" "What about june?" "In all this mess you've created, have you once thought about June?" "Of course I have, father." "Deeply!" "And I realize it's not possible to take her with me.I wish it were." "But there again,I had to make a choice between June who has everything..." "Except a father." "I know!" "But she has a mother and two grandfathers and a grandmother and god knows how many uncles and aunts all ready to fuss over her and pet her and bring her up the way she should be brought up." "She's rich." "But Helene's baby will be poor." "He'll only have me." "So where do you stand?" "Jo, I've never preached at you, and I don't intend to now." "I'm getting to be an old chap, finished with passion and all that." "But I know the power of it, what it can do to a man." "Think, Jo." "You have a wife." "Who despises me." "Never mind." "You married her." "You made certain promises." "You signed a contract,a firm contract." "Now you're proposing to welsh on it." "That I never could abide." "I'm not going to condone it in you." "You have duties." "Responsibilities to you wife, to June." "And I must say it, to me." "If you're going to run away from them, well, jo, I can't support you." "I see." "Well, what do you suggest?" "Frances is quite prepared to accept me with a mistress, as long as nobody hears about it." "You agree?" "No." "She's wrong to think it." "You must give this girl up." "Give her up?" "Yes." "I can be generous." "On your behalf, I will be." "She'll be taken care of." "And the child." "Father..." "I couldn't dream of doing anything so cruel." "It's a cruel world sometimes." "But you've brought this on yourself." "You're not a boy." "You make your own decisions." "And if you make the wrong one, you can expect no help from me, now or in the future." "Now I tell you again, jo." "Keep to your contract." "This isn't a business transaction, father, although you seem to think it is but even a business contract can be broken, on agreed terms." "Not this one, because there's no honest basis of agreement." "For all her faults, your wife is a good woman." "She's kept her side of the bargain." "Has she?" "You have June." "And nothing else." "No affection." "No comfort." "No humor." "No love." "No son of my own." "But I may have a son now, waiting to be born." "Am I not allowed to acknowledge him because of a contract made over 10 years ago?" "Because of some rules laid down by that precious society you're so proud of?" "Well, if that's the best they can do," "I'd rather live in poverty and disgrace for the rest of my days." "That's your decision?" "Goodbye, father." "Jo." "Look, boy." "I've been harsh." "I had make you see reason." "But you won't, and there's an end of it." "But you're my son, and I will not see you destitute." "Whatever you do, I'll give you half your allowance." "The other half to Frances." "That's like you to offer that, but no." "From now on, father, I make my own way." "Fraulein Hillmer, good evening." "May I come in?" "Please do." "Won't you sit down?" "Thank you." "Well, what a cozy little room." "Are you quite comfortable here?" "Yes." "I'm so glad." "But aren't you going to sit down?" "After all, it is your house, isn't it?" "You know whose house it is." "Why did you come?" "For several reasons." "For one thing, I've never seen a love nest before." "That is the polite word for it, I believe." "I don't know that word." "Well, you do now, fraulein." "It's a charming expression, don't you think?" "Almost idyllic." "One has a picture of innocent... well, almost innocent rapture in warm and secluded surroundings." "Yes, it's a pretty word for an ugly thing." "Madam..." "Please don't interrupt me, fraulein." "And won't you sit down?" "You're not very tall, but if there's one thing I can't bear, it's a crick in the neck." "Especially with the hats they're making us wear this season." "Yes, that's better." "After all, if we're going to have a little chat, we may as well be comfortable." "Now then, where was I?" "Oh, yes." "Yes, our english lesson." "Do you know the word "meiosis", fraulein?" "No?" "Oh, but you should." "All foreign ladies, especially governesses, should know the meaning of the word." "Because in England nowadays, we employ it constantly." "Not the word itself, of course, but what it stands for." "Let me give you an example." "Cultivated english persons nowadays, no longer talk of a "stench", or a "stink."" "They refer to an "unpleasant odor."" "Do you follow me?" ""Adultery" is called "infidelity", or at worst, "misconduct."" "A "prostitute" is a "fallen woman", and a "pregnant lady" is described as being "in a delicate state of health."" "That, fraulein, is meiosis." "Your meaning is quite clear." "I'm glad." "I wanted you to understand because, of course, between us, this glossing over of reality would be ludicrous." "In conversation with you, therefore..." "Madam, I have no wish to converse with you." "You speak like an english lady, but you behave like a german fishwife." "So please tell me why you're here, and then go." "Very well." "It occurred to me that you might be ignorant of certain facts concerning your relationship with my husband." "I don't think." "Oh, surely you know, of course,his father is a rich man" "That is why he tried to seduce you." "You are used to riches." "I'm not." "No, but you'd like to be." "Compared to you, madam, I am rich." "I love a man who loves me and that's all I want." "You love a poor man and I hope you realize that His father won't left a finger..." "I know all thiss." "I Know exactly the situation." "Is there anything else..." "Yes." "Yes, there is one thing" "I'm going to pay you a compliment, fraulein." "I believe you're sincere." "Thank you." "But you're also a fool and short sighted." "So let me tell you." "Love does't last long." "and lust is over even sooner." "And that is all between you:" "A lust and a sentimental attachment." "While that lasts, you may be happy." "The world well lost,and so on." "But just think of the consequences." "Because of you he would have give up everything his home, financial security his father affection and that means a great deal." "Whether I divorce of him or not he will lost his daughter and his friends." "He'll drop right out the life he has known" "And to what?" "Can you make up to him for the loss of all that?" "Can you?" "through years and year of grow indiference, you and he, isolated...?" "Well, you may be that kind of...," "I doubt it, fraulein." "I doubt it." "Madame... you wish to say something?" "I had an idea you were here" "Your cab is waiting." "Jo, it was horrible!" "God, Jo!" "She begun to talk about you, Jo." "For all you have lose." "Then I became frightened because I begun to think." "I started to believe what she said." "And I believe it now." "Yes, she was right." "You must leave me and go back to your family." "Your father and June, you have affection for them and they for you she said so and it's true." "You must go back to them." "You must go!" "Helene" "Helene, listen to me." "Listen!" "I've just come from my father." "The chapter's is closed." "For ever, you hear me?" "Please, stop it." "Listen to me." "You mustn't think about it never again." "Quiet" "Ssh, my darling." "Morning, mr." "Soames." "Morning." "Is my father in?" "Not yet, but I am expecting him." "He has some appointments." "Anything for me?" "Let's see now." "Yes, the case for the Chancery" "Came wednesday fortnight." "Who's the judge?" "Button, I believe." "I believe." "We..." "Have you read it?" "He suggest we drop the case." "Does he, indeed." "What do you think?" "He doesn't care for the fee." "15 guinees.It should be enough.." "I read your opinion" "I still tink we got a case." "You might be right." "What a fine morning, sir." "Don't say it, I'm late." "Your father called me up at breakfast" "I don't think... always tell a nonsense one after another." "This time is a bal." "He wants to give a bal" "A ball?" "What for?" "Is precisely what I said." "What for?" "For Winnifried and Dartie." "Precisely what I said." "After all the expenses of the wedding..." "I put my foot down." "If there is nothing.." "Yes, of course.." "Don't waste your time." "Mr Forsyte to see you, sir." "Show him in" "Come in, Jolyon." "I was expecting you." "I hope so.We had an appointment, didn't we?" "yes, if you want Soames to...my father ...I wish to see James." "You are so close to retirement.." "Retire?" "Certainly not." "why should I retire?" "If he do something, I'm sure he let you know." "Good morning." "Soames!" "Sir?" "I'll have ...you understand?" "I'm an old man, and sorely harassed." "Something I want to ask you." "Your cousin, Jo, I've not heard from him for two months." "I understand he's left Chelsea." "I believe so, sir..." "No, sir." "You are acting my daughter in law, I hear?" "It's true, Soames does." "Have you any idea where?" "No, but I have the adress of his..." "And..." "He's still a member I'm obliged to you." "I'll be in my room, father." "That young fellow, a cold fish." "He's an excellent man of business, that I don't doubt." "James, I want to see my will." "You want to change it?" "I want to see it." "what news of winifred and what's-his-name, dartie?" "They've settled in at green street." "Good property, that." "They'll do very well there." "Enjoy their honeymoon?" "Enjoy it?" "How should I know?" "Why shouldn't they enjoy it?" " Spent enough money, I know that." "Going off to france." "Bournemouth was good enough for us." "Well, there you are." "Always rushing about." "Shouldn't wonder if they'd caught something." "Water's very bad there, they tell me." "Well, do you want me to leave you?" "No, no." "Sit down, James." "When I've read this, I want to talk to you." "Here's your post,mr." "Soames." "Nothing very special." "Thank you." "And this one,marked personal." "I think it's a lady's hand, I'd say." "Oh, you would, would you?" "Oh, yes, very florid." "Old Southwater postmark." "That's mrs." "Heron." "It's like her to frank it personal." "Right." "Gradman, bring me the trust file." "Very good, sir." "Let me know when it's ready, and I'll come in and sign." "No need for that,Jolyon." "We'll send it round to you." "Your man can witness your signature." "Very well." "Good day to you, James." "Well?" "He's changed his will." "I thought he might." "Nothing for Jo." "Nothing at all." "Cut right out?" " I didn't think he'd go that far." "He's very bitter." "I can't say I blame him." "Everything goes to June, in trust, of course, with a life interest for Frances." "That makes June a considerable heiress." "Have you any idea how much?" "No, no." "He keeps his business to himself." "But make no mistake, he's a warm man." "A warm man." "And so he should be." "He hasn't got my expenses." "I dare say." "Father, I've heard from mrs." "Heron." "What does she want?" "To see me." ""I have the most interesting news."" "It's pretty obvious what that it is." ""And as it will affect the trust, I should so much like to discuss it with you."" "She's asked me down to luncheon on saturday." "I suppose I shall have to go." "Well, it's your time, but don't waste it." "Nothing to be got out of them except fresh air.No, no, no." "You don't grow." "No, sir." "Thank you, sir." "Mrs. Heron's in the kitchen, but if you'll just mrs..." "Millie!" "Come here at once." "All right,I know the way." "Thank you, sir." "You're mr." "Forsyte." "I'm Irene Heron." "I interrupted you." "Forgive me." "Not a bit of it." "I can play all day long if I wish." "No, no,please go on." "You like schumann?" "So do I. Especially this piece." "He wrote it as a love song, you know, for clara." "This is the version by list, for the piano." "Won't you finish it?" "Of course." "You play very well,miss Heron." "Not a quarter as well as I'd like to." "And not a tenth as well as any good concert pianist." "There's plenty of time, surely." "You're still very young..." "Not young enough" "Mozart made his debut at five." "And Mendelssohn at 10." "And now Paderewski." "Have you heard him?" "No?" "I did, two months ago, in Paris.." "Is superbe." "So good it makes you despair." "People like that make you feel... oh, I don't know, as if they were born knowing all the technique the rest of us spend years trying to learn." "And then, if you please, they just go on getting better and better while we poor mortals limp further behind them." "But, forgive me... if you never feel that you're going to get anywhere near the top... you mean, why continue?" " Hm." "Why indeed, when the gap is so wide." "But mr." "Forsyte, you're a lawyer." "A clever one, my stepmother says" "If that is true, so you must be ambitious, yes?" "Well, I... but will you ever become lord chancellor of England?" "That's not my, uh,line of country." "My ambition, such as it is, doesn't look in that direction." "But I see your point." "Of course you do." "Your talent is for the law." "Well and good." "Who cares if you never sit on the woolsack?" "Very uncomfortable that must be too, when you come to think of it." "But surely you must reach, even if you can't grasp." "I reach for what I know I can grasp." "I go on reaching until I get it." "Lucky you." "But in doing that, you...you extend yourself, don't you?" "And next time you stretch a bit further." "In music, it's the same." "I know." "I absolutely know I can never be a Clara Schumann or a Paderewski." "But I have a small talent, so I must develop it." "After all, it's the only one I've got." "And you know what the Bible says about burying talents." "My teacher in Paris is quite amusing about that." ""Mademoiselle Heron",he says." "I speak french perfectly adequately, you know, but he refuses to believe it." ""Mademoiselle Heron," ""somewhere deep, deep down," ""there may be some tiny spark." ""So we shall dig and dig," ""and one day perhaps, who knows?" ""Boom!" "A volcano."" "He's wrong, of course." "If I ever learn to play well enough to give pleasure to myself and perhaps to others, uncritical friends,that will be all." "Will that be enough?" "I don't know." "But I think I may have a gift for teaching." "Well, does that need any more than just application or hard work?" "Oh, I think so." "Indeed, I must hope so, because otherwise it would be plain drudgery." "You'd be satisfied with such a life?" " That I don't know yet." "But anything can happen." "Indeed, it can." "I, uh..." "I might find a new infant Mozart, even here in Southwater." "Why not?" "They have to come from somewhere, so why not here?" "That would be a joy." "Yes." "I think I could be satisfied with that." "Hm." "Life at secondhand." "That's hardly right for someone like you, if you'll forgive me for saying so." "How much longer have you got in Paris?" "Nine months." "And then my diploma, I hope." "I go back next week." "Do you know Paris?" "A little." "Well, hardly at all." "It's wonderful." "I live in a convent, you know, on two pence a week." "And we're guarded everywhere we go, like..." "like ladies in a harem." "But still it's fun." "Something in the air." "Freedom, perhaps." "Don't you think that's the one really important thing?" "I've always considered it overrated." "Ah." "That's because you're a man." "You have it already." "My dear mr." "Forsyte, how can I apologize for keeping you waiting?" "No, I took an early train and walked along the front." "Delightful." "So invigorating." "That will be mr." "Lomax." "Well, at least you had irene to keep you company." "Has she played for you?" " A little." "She plays admirably." "There, I knew you'd think so." "Such a clever girlie." "Aren't you, my pet?" "Mr. Lomax, ma'am." "And lunch is ready." "Thank you, Millie." "Hello." "Hello, Forsyte." "How are you?" "I'm well,thank you." "I simply can't delay our news a moment longer," "Mr. Lomax and i are going to be married." "May I congratulate you both?" "Thank you." "Th it was all settled last week." "Mind you, though, it's been looming for some time." "So you see, there will be plenty to discuss after lunch." "Oh, yes, indeed." "Well, I must go and have a word with cook." "Willie, go along and attend to the wine." "Yes, certainly, my dear." "Irene, dear, will you bring mr." "Forsyte into the dining room?" "That's right." "Miss Heron..." "are you not pleased?" "About this wedding, I mean." "Of course." "My stepmama's been lonely since my father died." "And you?" "When you come back from Paris, may I call to see you?" "If you wish." "I believe that have econcts down reduring the winter." "Perhaps we might go together." "Yes." "Yes, perhaps we might." "Now, shall we go in?" "Fair enough.That all sounds perfectly splendid, mr." "Forsyte.So clearly put too." "Don't you think so, willie?" "No, it may be clear to you, my dear, but it was all greek to me." "Nonsense, will you're not nearly so unworldly as you make out." "Is he, mr." "Forsyte?" "In my opinion, that would be nearly impossible." "You're not going, willie?" "Just a stroll down to the station with Forsyte,if he doesn't mind." "No, not at all." "A little breath of air after that magnificent luncheon." "Well, run along then." "Just a little point or two you might clear up for me." "Nothing much." "Just a question or so, eh?" "See you at tea time, then." "Yes, certainly, my dear." "Yes." "So good of you to come and give us your excellent advice." "And don't forget, we shall... we shall all be delighted to see you anytime if sea breezes." "Goodbye S. Heron." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Irene!" "Please attend when I'm speaking to you." "Yes?" "In one of your moods, I see." "I thought you were positively uncivil at luncheon." "I beg your pardon?" "I thought I was rather specially polite." "But you didn't say anything. "Yes" and "no."" ""Please" and "thank you."" "It's too bad of you, when in fact, you can talk quite intelligently if you wish." "I'm sorry." "That nice mr." "Forsyte, such a shy young man." "You could have helped a little bit." "I don't think he's shy." "Of course he is." "He hardly talked at all." "Well, that's because..." "I think it's because he only speaks when he's got something he's got to say." "But if we all behaved like that, there'd be no such thing as conversation." "Depends upon what you mean by conversation." "Irene!" "Not when I'm speaking to you, please." "Sorry." "Anyway, it didn't matter." "You and Mr Lomax.." "Somebody had to." "I only hope mr." "Forsyte didn't notice anything, well, odd." "Your being so silent, I mean." "Anyone would think you positively disliked him." "And even if you do..." "I don't dislike him." "He seems a kind-hearted person." "But I don't like him, either." "Why should I?" " Because he's useful to us,and will be more so." "He's an extremely valuable connection." "Is that why you like him so much?" "It never does any harm to have influential friends, as you'll find out, my girl, before you're much older." "The Forsytes are an important and a wealthy family." "I mean, really wealthy." "And what is more, I happen to know that this boy, Soames, is an only son." "Well, aunt, I must go now, but it's nice to see you looking so bobbish." "It was good of you to come, George." "An old lady has very few pleasures and I like to hear what the young ones are doing." "Their parents never tell me." "That's probably because they don't know." "And just as well too." "You're a wicked boy." "Up to all kinds of mischief, I'll be bound." "Where are you off to now?" "To my club." "I have to see a man about a horse." "Oh, that's, let me see." "yes, I remember now." "Your uncle Jolyon put up for it very many years ago but they wouldn't take him because he was in trade." "Oh, such nonsense." "He was as good as any of them." "Better than most, I'd say." "But, uh... yet they accepted Jo, didn't they?" "Yes, aunt, they did." "Eton and cambridge, you see." "Yes." "Do you ever see...?" "I do, occasionally, my dear aunt, and we pass the time of day." "But if you want to know how he's managing to live on bread and cheese and kisses, I'm afraid i can't tell you." "Why?" "Because he doesn't confide in me." "And what's more, I shouldn't care for it if he did." "Thank the lord, I say, for decent english reticence." "But George..." "I know." "You've always had a soft spot for Jo." "I don't mind him myself, except that he's such a fool about women." "Now don't you be cynical about that." "It may happen to you one day." "But I hope not." "Nothing happens to me." "And if I can help it, nothing ever will." "George, do you know where Jo is living?" "St. John's wood,I believe." "St. John's wood?" "That's not exactly..." "I know." "Not exactly Forsyte country, is it?" "But still, it's cheap." "Cheap?" " And quite close to lords too." "So if he ever gets fed up with, uh..." "how shall I put it?" "With "extramarital bliss he can always go and watch the cricket." "You're a wretch." "But you do me good." "Well, Ann, we've had a delightful chat with Timothy." "Delightful." "And I must say, for a man who claims to be so poorly... he is poorly." "He's not himself at all." "He seems to be in the most robust health." "Well, there's a great deal of diphtheria in London, just now... quite an epidemic." "Yes, he's very anxious about it." "Then all I can say is it appears to suit him." "Well, goodbye,my dear aunt." "Oh, George." "Are you leaving?" " Immediately." "Oh, may I take you home?" "Thank you, dear." "will you be so good as to call a cab?" "I'll certainly call one." "Whether he'll answer is quite a different matter." "Dear George." "Such a droll." "And what news of the young couple?" " Oh, splendid." "They're dining with us tonight, and we're going to the opera." "Winifred's happy, then?" " Oh, blooming,I'm glad to say." "Sometimes she looks positively pretty." "A nice, sensible child." "Is there any sign yet?" " Oh, good gracios, no." "after all, Ann, they've only been married four months." "Monty, darling, don't be such a clown." "Now behave yourself." "We'll be late." "And you know how papa fusses if anyone's late." "Well, he's got nothing to be late for, I have." "Monty, please!" "I'll never get this done." "It's practically impossible, anyway." "Why men have to wear such things..." "corsets to you,my love." "All right." "But keep still, do." "Ah." "Monty." "Huh?" "Shall we tell them?" " About what?" "You know perfectly well about what." "Shall we?" "Well, if we tell your mother, the whole of London will know in 24 hours." "Do you mind?" " No, but... well, a fellow comes in for a lot of chaff." "Coulsn't we postpone it?" "We can not indefinitely" "Much as I like to spare your feelings, there comes a time." "I suppose so." "But tonight?" "Tonight." "I shall tell mama when we leave you after dinner, and if you care to break it to papa over your port...?" "There." "You look gorgeous." "Well, don't worry, he'll be delighted." "I dare say.But the troubles is, he'll go on about it.On and on." "Look, I think we'll just let your mother tell him after we've gone." "Then he can complain to her that nobody told him anything about it before it happened." "Now what do you say?" "All right, darling." "But you're an awful coward." "I know." "Now hurry up." "Freddie, my love." "There's a button loose on this." "Do you think you could get someone to fix it?" "Yes." "Do you want to wear it tomorrow?" "Yes, I'd like to." "Then I'll do it myself." "It won't take a minute." "Thank you." "Monty...please come here at once."