To Serve Them All My Days1980

[David has just been told of the death of Beth and the twins. Howarth has tried to console him but has now let him go for a walk on his own on the moors, for which Algy Herries is reprimanding Howarth.]

Algy Herries:
This is dreadful. What would *you* do in his place?

Howarth:
I find it hard to imagine myself in his place.

Algy Herries:
Yes you do. You do - that's just the trouble.

Howarth:
But if I were, I should probably do what is usually called "something silly".

Algy Herries:
And knowing that, you let him go?

Howarth:
Damn it, man, I don't choose to defend myself! PJ's his own man. What I said to him is entirely between him and me. I don't think I convinced him - I hardly convinced myself. You may see human life as a sacred trust. I see it rather as something to be got through, with as little self-contempt and misery as possible - pretty insupportable at the best of times.