"My Novel" — Volume 07

In a bright, noisy drawing‑room the family circles around Uncle Roland as he launches a lively debate on the meaning of courage. He presses Mr. Caxton, a self‑professed coward, to explain how he could have faced a charging bull armed only with an umbrella and a line from Aeschylus, turning a dangerous encounter into comic philosophy. The banter weaves classical allusions with domestic anecdotes, giving listeners a taste of the witty, reflective tone that drives the tale.

The discussion soon widens, linking bravery to honor, love, and the quiet resolve needed to keep promises despite fear and adversity. Through the eyes of a young narrator, the dialogue becomes a mirror for a boy named Leonard, whose own doubts and hopes echo the family's musings. As the characters tease out what true courage really means, listeners are invited to consider how personal virtue can shape ordinary lives.