Tell me what is in your mind." Michael made a great effort with himself.

He desired, in the secret, real Michael, to be reasonable and cordial, to behave filially, while all the time his nerves were on edge with his father's ridicule, and with his instinctive knowledge of his father's distaste for him.
"Well, it's like this, father," he said.

"I'm doing no good as I am.

I went into the Guards, as you know, because it was the right thing to do.
A business man's son is put into business for the same reason.

And I'm not good at it." Michael paused a moment.
"My heart isn't in it," he said, "and I dislike it.