Free Mr. Britling Sees It Through by H. G. Wells

national difference but only the Britling strain. He seemed to have read more, and more independently, and to be doing less. And he was rather more restrained and self-possessed.
    Before Mr. Direck could begin a proper inquiry into the young man’s work and outlook, he had got the conversation upon America. He wanted tremendously to see America. “The dad says in one of his books that over here we are being and that over there you are beginning. It must be tremendously stimulating to think that your country is still being made. …”
    Mr. Direck thought that an interesting point of view. “Unless something tumbles down here, we never think of altering it,” the young man remarked. “And even then we just shore it up.”
    His remarks had the effect of floating off from some busy mill of thought within him. Hitherto Mr. Direck had been inclined to think this silent observant youth with his hands in his pockets and his shoulders a little humped, as probably shy and adolescently ineffective. But the head was manifestly quite busy. …
    â€œMiss Corner,” he began, taking the first thing that came into his head, and then he remembered that he had already made the remark he was going to make not five minutes ago.
    â€œWhat form of art,” he asked, “are you contemplating in your studies at the present time in London? …”
    Before this question could be dealt with at all adequately, the two small boys became active in the garden beating in everybody to “dress up” before supper. The secretary, Teddy, came in a fatherly way to look after Mr. Direck and see to his draperies.
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    Mr. Direck gave his very best attention to this business of draping himself, for he had not the slightest intention of appearing ridiculous in the eyes of Miss Corner. Teddy came with an armful of stuff that he thought “might do.”
    â€œWhat’ll I come as?” asked Mr. Direck.
    â€œWe don’t wear costumes,” said Teddy. “We just put on all the brightest things we fancy. If it’s any costume at all, its Futurist.”
    â€œAnd surely why shouldn’t one?” asked Mr. Direck, greatly struck by this idea. “Why should we always be tied by the fashions and periods of the past?”
    He rejected a rather Mephistopheles-like costume of crimson and a scheme for a brigand-like ensemble based upon what was evidently an old bolero of Mrs. Britling’s, and after some reflection he accepted some black silk tights. His legs were not legs to be ashamed of. Over this he tried various brilliant wrappings from the Dower House armoire , and chose at last, after some hesitation in the direction of a piece of gold and purple brocade, a big square of green silk curtain stuff adorned with golden pheasants and other large and dignified ornaments; this he wore toga fashion over his light silken undervest—Teddy had insisted on the abandonment of his shirt “if you want to dance at all”—and fastened with a large green glass-jewelled brooch. From this his head and neck projected, he felt, with a tolerable dignity. Teddy suggested a fillet of green ribbon, and this Mr. Direck tried, but after prolonged reflection before the glass rejected. He was still weighing the effect of this fillet upon the mind of Miss Corner when Teddy left him to make his own modest preparations. Teddy’s departure gave him a chance for profile studies by means of an arrangement ofthe long mirror and the table looking-glass that he had been too shy to attempt in the presence of the secretary. The general effect was quite satisfactory.
    â€œWa-a-a-l,” he said with a quiver of laughter, “now who’d have thought it?” and smiled a consciously American smile at himself before going down.
    The company was assembling in the panelled hall, and made a brilliant show in the light of the acetylene candles against a dark background. Mr. Britling in a black