PETER.  And now we are depending upon you, Frederik, for the next line in the book. [To CATHERINE _—­slyly—­as she closes the book._] If my sister could see Frederik, what a proud mother she would be!

JAMES. [Turning from the ’phone to PETER.] Old man Hicks himself has come to the ’phone.  Says he must speak to Mr. Peter Grimm.

FREDERIK.  I’d make short work of him, Uncle.

PETER. [At the ’phone.] How are you, my old friend?...  How are your plum trees? [Listens.] Bad, eh?  Well, we can only pray and use Bordeaux Mixture....  No....  Nonsense!  This business has been in my family for seven generations.  Why sell?  I’ll see that it stays in the family seven generations longer! [Echoing.] Do I propose to live that long?  N—­no; but my plans will. [Looks towards FREDERIK and CATHERINE.] How?  Never mind.  Good-morning. [Hangs up the receiver.

JAMES.  Sorry to disturb you, sir, but some of these letters are—­

FREDERIK.  I’m off.

PETER. [Who has lifted a pot of tulips to set it in the sun—­standing with the pot in his hands.] And remember the saying:  [A twinkle in his upraised eyes.] “Thou, O God, sellest all good things at the price of labour.” [Smells the tulips and sets them down.

FREDERIK. [Goes briskly towards the door.] That’s true, sir.  I want to speak to you later, Uncle—­[Turning, looking at JAMES.] on a private matter. [He goes off looking at his watch, as though he had a hard day’s work before him.

PETER. [Looking after FREDERIK.] Very capable young fellow, Frederik.  I was a happy man, James, when I heard that he had won the prize for botany at Amsterdam College.  I had to find out the little I know by experience.

JAMES. [Impulsively.] Yes, and I’ll wager you’ve forgotten more than—­ [Catching a warning glance from CATHERINE, he pauses.

PETER.  What?

JAMES.  Nothing, sir.  I—­

CATHERINE. [Tugging at PETER’S coat—­speaking to him apart, as JAMES busies himself at the desk.] Uncle Peter, I think you’re unfair to James.  We used to have him to dinner very often before he went away.  Now that he’s back, you treat him like a stranger.

PETER. [Surprised.] Eh?  I didn’t know that I—­[Petting CATHERINE.] A good, unselfish girl.  She thinks of everybody. [Aloud.] James, will you have dinner with us to-day?

JAMES. [Pleased and surprised.] Thank you, sir—­yes, sir.

PETER.  It’s a roast goose—­cooked sweet, James. [Smacks his lips.] Fresh green herbs in the dressing and a Figaro pudding.  Marta brought over that pudding receipt from Holland.

MARTA, an old family servant, has entered with the air of having forgotten to wind the clock.  She smiles happily at PETER’S allusion to her puddings, attends to the old clock, and passes of with CATHERINE.  PETER sits at the desk, glancing over the mail.