(Sound of hammering from another room)

Harry: What’s that banging, Nora?

Nora: It’s Robert. [bad word] home specially early so as to get on with his shelves.

Harry: Oh! What are the shelves for?

Nora: To put his books on, and those cups he won for sports last term. (More banging exclaims something: his voice is heard)

Robert: (From the next room) Confound it!

Harry: I’d better see how he’s getting on. (Door) Hello, Robert – do you want any help?

Robert: Yes, Dad, Would you hold this shelf steady so that I can hit it a really good hard bang?

Harry: Right; I’ve got it. (Bang, bang, bang)

Robert: Well, that’s finished it. How does it look? It should be all right.

Harry: Bring over a few books so as to test it.

Robert: Right, Dad. Will these be enough? I’ll put them on the top. (Crash) H’m! It’s fallen down!

Harry: You need some more nails at this end. Drive them in upwards, so that they hold the weight of the shelf better. 

Robert: Yes, well, just show me how to do it, Dad.

Harry: In the first place, you hold the hammer too near the head. Hold it further back, so as to get some force behind it. Like this. (Bang) Ow! Confound it!

Robert: Did you hit your finger, Dad?

Harry: What do you think I shouted for? Of course I hit it. (Bang, bang, bang)

Robert: Ah, that looks better now.

Harry: Yes, I think that ought to stay up all right.

Robert: Let’s try it with the books again. (Crash)Oh, dear, now it’s fallen down at the other end.

Nora: How are you two getting on?

Harry: Not very well. I think. I’m going to leave it to Robert after all.