Ellen smiled as though to say she hoped she was not an unnatural mother, and again said “Oh!”
Mary Ogilvie was very glad to see the two gentlemen come in from the hall, the Colonel saying, “Mr. Ogilvie tells me he thinks Armine too small at present for school, Caroline.”
“You know I am very glad of it, Robert,” she said, smiling gratefully, and Ellen compassionately observed, “Poor little fellow, he is very small, but country air and food will soon make a man of him if he is not overdone with books. I make it a point never to force my children.”
“No, that you don’t,” said Caroline, with a dangerous smile about the corners of her mouth.
“And my boys do quite as well as if they had their heads stuffed and their growth stunted,” said Ellen. “Joe is only two months older than Armine, and you are quite satisfied with him, are you not, Mr. Ogilvie?”
“He is more on a level with the others,” said Mr. Ogilvie politely; “but I wish they were all as forward as this little fellow.”
“Schoolmasters and mammas don’t always agree on those points,” said the Colonel good-humouredly.
“Very true,” responded his wife. “I never was one for teasing the poor boys with study and all that. I had rather see them strong and well grown. They’ll have quite worry enough when they go to school.”
“I’m sorry you look at me in that aspect,” said Mr. Ogilvie.
“Oh, I know you can’t help it,” said the lady.