The old sinner's eyes twinkled.
"I'm remotely responsible," he said.
"You're directly responsible for some other underhand work that is going on. Since you two have joined forces, Molly's behavior has become the last word in 'Frightfulness.' That's bad enough in all conscience, after the years of good example I've set her, but what really hurts is the fact that she neglects me, too. I might easily be a stranger in my own house!"
Molly was at my side in a second, with her arms round my neck and a glowing little cheek pressed against mine.
"Daddy! I don't neglect you! I only play with Gran'pa more than I used to."
"You never play with me," I growled.
"Oo—oo—oo! . . . I did last night!"
"Merely out of pity. You didn't want to."
"Only because I was tired, Daddy. . . ."
"There you are! Why are you so tired nowadays? You didn't used to be. It's because you waste all your energy larking with Gran'pa, while I'm slaving at the office all day. Then there is nothing left for me in the evenings."