Builder.  Is it a question of money?  You can always have more.  You know that. [Mrs builder smiles] Oh! don’t smile like that; it makes me feel quite sick!

     Camille enters with a decanter and little glasses, from the
     dining-room.

Camille.  The brandy, sir.  Monsieur Ralph Builder has just come.

Mrs builder.  Ask him in, Camille.

Camille.  Yes, Madame.

She goes through the doorway into the hall.  Mrs builder, following towards the door, meets Ralph builder, a man rather older than builder and of opposite build and manner.  He has a pleasant, whimsical face and grizzled hair.

Mrs builder.  John wants to consult you, Ralph.

Ralph.  That’s very gratifying.

     She passes him and goes out, leaving the two brothers eyeing one
     another.

About the Welsh contract?

Builder.  No.  Fact is, Ralph, something very horrible’s happened.

Ralph.  Athene gone and got married?

Builder.  No.  It’s—­it’s that she’s gone and—­and not got married.

     Ralph utters a sympathetic whistle.

Jolly, isn’t it?

Ralph.  To whom?

Builder.  A young flying bounder.

Ralph.  And why?

Builder.  Some crazy rubbish about family life, of all things.

Ralph.  Athene’s a most interesting girl.  All these young people are so queer and delightful.

Builder.  By George, Ralph, you may thank your stars you haven’t got a delightful daughter.  Yours are good, decent girls.

Ralph.  Athene’s tremendously good and decent, John.  I’d bet any money she’s doing this on the highest principles.

Builder.  Behaving like a—­

Ralph.  Don’t say what you’ll regret, old man!  Athene always took things seriously—­bless her!

Builder.  Julia thinks you might help.  You never seem to have any domestic troubles.

Ralph.  No—­o.  I don’t think we do.

Builder.  How d’you account for it?

Ralph.  I must ask at home.

Builder.  Dash it!  You must know!

Ralph.  We’re all fond of each other.

Builder.  Well, I’m fond of my girls too; I suppose I’m not amiable enough.  H’m?

Ralph.  Well, old man, you do get blood to the head.  But what’s Athene’s point, exactly?

Builder.  Family life isn’t idyllic, so she thinks she and the young man oughtn’t to have one.

Ralph.  I see.  Home experience?

Builder.  Hang it all, a family’s a family!  There must be a head.

Ralph.  But no tail, old chap.