"Large for a boy of his age. And what makes it hard is, that I have been lavish with him in every way. I did not suppose he had a wish ungratified."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Grey, in a tone that declared she was beginning to see daylight.
"Bob is a good-hearted boy," said Mrs. Thayer, "but his character leans to shiftlessness. We have tried to tone him up, but if a child is born without a backbone, what can one do?"
"May I ask in what way you have tried to tone him up?"
"Certainly," replied Mr. Thayer, in a tone of surprise. "We have talked to him year in and year out."
"Does he like that?"
"No. He yawns in my face."
"Now, you want my honest opinion?"
"We do, most emphatically."