"But you can't have Pattie. Not till Pattie chooses to come. She's gone off to amuse herself. You've got to put up with me, so you may as well be good-tempered about it. What's this book? Shall I read to you?"
Dot, becoming aware of the position of affairs, determined to make the most of her opportunity. Tears stopped, and she studied Mrs. Cragg from a fresh point of view.
"Ma-ma tell a tory," was the result of these observations.
"I don't know any stories."
Another break.
"Ma-ma tell a tory," came again.
Mrs. Cragg actually started off in an attempt at compliance.
"Well, once upon a time," she said, "there was a man, and he went out for a walk. He had to go and see his—oh, his grandmother. And he took some nice new-laid eggs for her, and he—he thought he'd see—"
Mrs. Cragg broke down.
"Thought he'd see—" repeated Dot encouragingly.