Robert
[Looks at Richard.] Did you hear his voice, too, Richard, with the others—out there on the strand? Your son's voice. [Smiling.] Listen! How full it is of despair!
Archie
Open the window, please, will you?
Robert
Perhaps, there, Richard, is the freedom we seek—you in one way, I in another. In him and not in us. Perhaps . . .
Richard
Perhaps . . .?
Robert
I said perhaps. I would say almost surely if . . .
Richard
If what?
Robert
[With a faint smile.] If he were mine.
[He goes to the window and opens it. Archie scrambles in.]
Robert
Like yesterday—eh?
Archie
Good morning, Mr Hand. [He runs to Richard and kisses him.] Buon giorno, babbo.
Richard
Buon giorno, Archie.
Robert
And where were you, my young gentleman?
Archie
Out with the milkman. I drove the horse. We went
