閱瀆理解
Roy wasn't the only one to receive his call-up(入伍)papers.Stephen Napier's call-up came at the beginnning of February and he was pleased to find that he would be going into the Royal Air Force(RAF).
His father was not so pleased and made his feelings known as he and Stephen were on their daily walk.It was the first step in his plans for Stephen to take over the estate(地產(chǎn))when the time came, and although Stephen was well aware of this, he could think of no reason not to accompany him.
“Thought you’d forgotten that nonsense.Still, I dare say I could pull a few strings to get you to the Army…”
“No, Father! I have told you I want to learn to fly.What chance would I have to do that in the Army? I'd be better off in the Navy-at least they’ve got the Fleet Air Arm.But I have been put in the RAF and that’s where I want to be, so let’s leave it at that.His face went red.Sent to his father’s school and then to Cambridge, much to his satisfaction, he had never had to defend his own desires and his father was a hard man to oppose.
The father glared at Stephen, "No, I won't leave it at that.I want to know what other ridiculous ideas are in your head.For a start, what's all this about America?”
“America?”
“Yes.All those books I saw in your room the other day.Brochures about emigration(移民).”
The big, silvered head lowered, like that of a bull about to charge.“Don't trouble to deny it.”
“I won’t, Father.Some men at Cambridge have been talking about it.They want people like us here, mathematicians and scientists, for all kinds of research----the sort of research I could do.It would be a worthwhile life for me.”
The father responded exactly as his son had known he would.“You’ve got a worthwhile life here!You’ve got an estate to run!”
“No, Father.You’ve got an estate to run.I never asked for it.Why not ask Baden to do this stuff? He perhaps can make a good job of it, but I…”
“If he were here, I might think about this silly idea of yours-only think about it, mind you but…”