Set in a richly described office, the story features a poignant conversation between two elderly men, Mr. Woodifield and the boss. Their dialogue is marked by old-fashioned diction and significant pauses, reflecting their age and experiences.
"The door shut, the firm heavy steps recrossed the bright carpet, the fat body plumped down in the spring chair, and leaning forward, the boss covered his face with his hands. "
"" Y'ARE very snug in here," piped old Mr. Woodifield, and he peered out of the great, green leather armchair by his friend the boss's desk as a baby peers out of its pram."
Many pauses in speech
"" I've had it done up lately," he explained, as he had explained for the past—how many ?— weeks. ""
"Old Woodifield paused, but the boss made no reply. Only a quiver in his eyelids showed that he heard."
"The pause came again. Then the old man brightened wonderfully."
Flashback/Insight about past events
"Although over six years had passed away, the boss never thought of the boy except as lying unchanged, unblemished in his uniform, asleep for ever. " My son ! " groaned the boss."
"" That was it," he said, heaving himself out of his chair. " I thought you'd like to know. The girls were in Belgium last week having a look at poor Reggie's grave, and they happened to come across your boy's. They're quite near each other, it seems.""
What Mansfield is sharing with the readers
Mansfield is attempting to portray the message that
time can heal almost anything. The boss is a great example
of time healing grief. So much time has passed that the boss
sometimes forgets about his dead son, and is even unable
to cry about it anymore.
Old/Southern styled diction
"" Y'ARE very snug in here,""
"" Drink it down. It'll do you good. And don't put any water with it. It's sacrilege to tamper with stuff like this. Ah ! ""
