He sat very still for a while. He was thinking what he should do; he knew that as the father of a family he should be respected, and here were his children laughing at him.
If it were not for the haughty French wife he might exert his authority, but Theodore was a little afraid of her.
"I'll begin with the children," he said at last, "and that may impress Rosamond."
So while the children were giggling and whispering Theodore suddenly jumped up from his chair.
Of course he was very stiff in his movements, as he did not have any joints, and the children laughed out and said, "Our father hasn't any joints in his legs."
The stern look on Theodore's face soon quieted them, however, and by the time he reached them they were quite afraid. Theodore cleared his throat and put his hands behind him.
"It is very evident," he said, "that you need a father, for your manners are shockingly bad. What is your name?" he asked, taking one of them by the shoulder.
"Etta," she answered.
"And yours?" he said, pointing to another.
"May," was the reply.