"Really," he said, with a lofty sneer, "I don't see what you have to laugh at in the idle nonsense of these children."
This made them grin more than ever.
"The wit of the rising generation," sneered Mole.
"Mr. Mole would like the young generation never to rise, I think," said Harry Girdwood.
"That's it," laughed Harkaway; "Mr. Mole was always so conservative in his ideas."
"Let me see, dad," said young Jack, looking puzzled; "Conservative, why, that means a Tory."
"Yes."
"But, Mr. Mole, I thought that you always were a Whig."
Such a storm of laughter greeted this sally, that Mr. Mole could not stand up against it.
Looking daggers at every body, he trudged out of the room, digging his walking stick fiercely as he went.