Hugh whistled. "You ain't getting preachified I suppose, are you, John?"
"No; but, all the same, I know when I think a thing's right."
"So do I; leastways I know when I'm in the right, and that's generally!"
"Or you think so."
"Of course; comes to the same thing."
Hugh had a pleasantly good opinion of himself, which often roused the ridicule and annoyance of his brother and sisters; and so before John was aware he found himself caught in an argument which was beginning to rasp his temper.
"Well, I'm off," he said, abruptly turning on his heel, thinking within himself that if his promise to Agnes was to be kept during his parents' absence it would be well to begin at once.
"Beaten off the field?" asked Hugh, laughing, while he turned round to give his mother a passing kiss.
"Teasing again, my boy," she said gently.
"Only on the surface, mother," he answered lightly.