Olive.  But tell me just one weeny thing!

Katherine.  Well?

Olive.  Is Daddy one?

Katherine.  Olive!  How much do you know about this war?

Olive.  They won’t obey us properly.  So we have to beat them, and take away their country.  We shall, shan’t we?

Katherine.  Yes.  But Daddy doesn’t want us to; he doesn’t think it fair, and he’s been saying so.  People are very angry with him.

Olive.  Why isn’t it fair?  I suppose we’re littler than them.

Katherine.  No.

Olive.  Oh! in history we always are.  And we always win.  That’s why
I like history.  Which are you for, Mummy—­us or them?

Katherine.  Us.

Olive.  Then I shall have to be.  It’s a pity we’re not on the same side as Daddy. [Katherine shudders] Will they hurt him for not taking our side?

Katherine.  I expect they will, Olive.

Olive.  Then we shall have to be extra nice to him.

Katherine.  If we can.

Olive.  I can; I feel like it.

     Helen and Hubert have returned along the terrace.  Seeing
     Katherine and the child, Helen passes on, but Hubert comes in at
     the French window.

Olive. [Catching sight of him-softly] Is Uncle Hubert going to the front to-day? [Katherine nods] But not grandfather?

Katherine.  No, dear.

Olive.  That’s lucky for them, isn’t it?

     Hubert comes in.  The presence of the child give him self-control.

Hubert.  Well, old girl, it’s good-bye. [To Olive] What shall I bring you back, chick?

Olive.  Are there shops at the front?  I thought it was dangerous.

Hubert.  Not a bit.

Olive. [Disillusioned] Oh!

Katherine.  Now, darling, give Uncle a good hug.

     [Under cover of OLIVE’s hug, Katherine repairs her courage.]

Katherine.  The Dad and I’ll be with you all in spirit.  Good-bye, old boy!

     They do not dare to kiss, and Hubert goes out very stiff and
     straight, in the doorway passing steel, of whom he takes no
     notice.  Steel hesitates, and would go away.

Katherine.  Come in, Mr. Steel.

Steel.  The deputation from Toulmin ought to be here, Mrs. More. 
It’s twelve.

Olive. [Having made a little ball of newspaper-slyly] Mr. Steel, catch!

     [She throws, and steel catches it in silence.]

Katherine.  Go upstairs, won’t you, darling?

Olive.  Mayn’t I read in the window, Mummy?  Then I shall see if any soldiers pass.