"We can't always do what we propose; and Thompson, my dear, dear first husband, was as good as they make them."
"He was a bold and exceedingly vulgar kind of person," rejoined Mr. Smithers, in a withering tone of voice.
"I'm sure Thompson was as genteel as—as Smithers," said his wife.
"Possibly he may have been in your estimation; but we will not discuss the question. Be good enough to get my supper ready," replied Smithers, with a grand wave of the arm.
"I'll do that with pleasure, only do make some allowance for Tommy—you know he is subject to the chills."
"You give me a chill, talking so much. Where are Harold and Alice?"
"Gone visiting."
"Oh, yes. I forgot that I gave them permission this morning to visit the Macphersons. Highly respectable family, the Macphersons. I will go and bring them home in a couple of hours' time. The ground is slippery with the frozen snow, and they might fall and hurt themselves."
Mrs. Smithers sighed.
She wished her husband would be as kind to Tommy as he was to Harold Stamford and Alice Regina.