The Boy Comes Home – A.A. Milne

The play takes place in the hall at Uncle James home. As the play opens, we find Philip who has come away from Army life and he is now staying with his uncle. He is demanding for breakfast but Mary (servant) refused to give him breakfast and said, as per uncle James schedule the time is 8 o’clock and she must get permission from Mrs. Higgins (cook) to give breakfast after 8 o’clock. Just then, Aunt Emily enters and enquires about Philip work and whether he had breakfast or not. He complains about Mrs. Higgins refusal for breakfast. When Mrs. Higgins enters, Philip argues with her and finally he tares the cheque of 45 pounds and offers to Mrs. Higgins and asks her to leave from the job. This gives a shock to her and she says that she won’t leave the job and will do whatever he needs.

Uncle James enters and starts scolding Philip for his laziness. Then he warns Philip, not to smoke before him and threatens him to be punctual. There starts an argument between them about his future. Philip wants to study Architect but his uncle forces him to join his Jam business. Philip demands for money to stay out and also demands for his property. Uncle James advices him that he will get his property when he will become 25years old and he also advices him that it is not a right age to study instead it is better to join into business. Philip gets angry and suddenly takes of his Pistol and points to his uncle James head. Uncle James gets scar about his activity. Next day, he says to Philip to study what he likes. Finally Philip gets realize and says to his uncle what ready to join in Jam business. When Philip was in Army, he was punctual and discipline but comes to home he changes his attitude like lazy. Finally his uncle James changed him to be punctual and obeyed.