"Mother," said Fritz, taking Mrs. Becker's arm, "I want you all to myself."
"I object to that, if you please," cried Jack, taking her other arm.
"Why, you boys seem extravagantly fond of your mother to-day," said Mrs. Becker, gaily.
"Well, you see, mother, we have the right to have an idea now and then—Willis has one every week."
"So long as your ideas are about myself, I have no reason to object to them," said Mrs. Becker, smiling.
"We have always been dutiful sons, have we not, mother?" inquired Fritz.
"Yes, always."
"You are well pleased with us then?"
"Yes, surely."
"We have never caused you any uneasiness, have we?" inquired Jack.