Knarf—I’ll call him.
Alice—Maybe he’s busy, or perhaps he wouldn’t like to be called just to be looked at.
Knarf—Well, when my own father can’t come when he’s called, or don’t want to be shown off to my friends, I’ll see about it. (calls commandingly.) Dad!
Alice—Why, we say that, sometimes. Oh, I see, it’s the same both ways.
Dad—(running in) Did you call me, Knarf?
Knarf—Yes, I wanted to show you to these—children, they say they are—just our ages.
Dad—(staring) Your ages? They’re awful big.
Ecila—(sternly) Take off your hat, at once, and stop staring. And making personal remarks, too. That’s three points for Friday. (holds up three fingers.)
Dad—Oh, I forgot, Ecila. I beg your pardon. Please excuse me this time.
Knarf—No indeed. And before company, too.