"I will think about the matter," he said briefly; but Theodore was perfectly satisfied.
And think about it Mr. Barton did, and consult his wife as well; with the result that a few days later he called the boys into the west parlour, and presented each with a serviceable watch, saying he had decided to give them now, instead of waiting until Theodore's birthday, which was not for another three months.
Needless to say, the boys were delighted; and still more so when Mrs. Barton entered the room and gave each a pretty chain, attached to which was a lucky sixpence. They could hardly find words to express their thanks, so proud and excited were they.
"You will not have an excuse for being late at meal-times now," Mrs. Barton reminded them, as they examined their new treasures.
"No," Jack agreed, as he looked at his presents with admiring eyes. "Oh, Theo, here are my initials on the back of my watch!"
"And here are mine—'T.B.,'" Theodore replied.
He had already opened the back of his watch, and was curiously inspecting its works.
"Be careful, Theo," Jack said warningly. "I don't think you ought to breathe into your watch,—ought he, mother?"
"No, I think not, my dear. By the way, I want to remind you boys to be in good time for tea this afternoon, because your aunts are coming."
Mrs. Barton received her guests in the west parlour, explaining that she knew they would prefer that apartment to the large drawing-room.