So Ross and Sam ran me home and said I was a jolly decent kid, which was drivel. And after Nannie had got me dry, I went and waited in father's dressing-room. As he and mother came upstairs I heard daddy say,—
'Well, I suppose I must get into a dog collar as I've got this beastly clerical meeting.'
And mother laughed,—
'I don't think the collar makes much difference when the rest of you smells so of dogs and stables.' And then she added in her delicious Irish brogue, 'I know it isn't seemly to ask a parson to leave the Word of God and serve tables, but do you know a savoury that would do for to-night?'
And daddy said,—
'I've just seen a beauty in the woods.'
'What do you mean, Anthony,' laughed mother. And father replied,—
'An angel on horseback, darling,' and told her not to blush. He came in then, and saw me, and said,—
'Hallo, little 'un, what are you doing here?'
'I thought I had to come, father, as I did it.'