“Carter,” said his mother, with a laugh, “there aren’t that many ‘guesses’ in the whole dictionary.”
Presently Phil arrived. He looked tired with the heat, but his thin face brightened when he saw Stacey there playing with the boys.
“Stacey, you’re a fraud!” he said. “What sort of behavior is this for a misanthrope? You ought to be gloating over what Jack and Carter will grow up to be.”
Catherine put an end to the game and sent the boys out to play on the porch. “Yes,” she said, as she closed the door upon them, “I guess Stacey doesn’t mean all he says. I guess he’s really kind-hearted. I guess he likes children, maybe.”
Phil stared at his wife and smiled. “For heaven’s sake, Catherine,” he demanded, “what’s come over your English?”
Stacey laughed. “Corrupting effect of Carter,” he explained. “Yes, of course I like children.”
“Would you like to have some of your own?” Phil asked.
Stacey reflected, frowning. “Yes,” he replied at last, “I think so. Just one, a boy, so that I could try bringing him up.”
Phil and Catherine both laughed.
“Upon my word,” said the former, “this is delightful! Fancy finding you not merely humanly usual but positively universal—a bachelor with theories on education! What is your present theory, my son?”