"I've got to get to work now, dear," he said, rising. "I haven't had a quiet breakfast since Harry first came to the table. Don't you think Marthy might feed him upstairs again?"
"Oh, Oliver! It would break his heart. He would think that he was in disgrace."
"Well, I'm not sure that he oughtn't to be. Now, Lucy's all right. She behaves like a lady—but if you consider Harry an appetizing table companion, I don't."
"But, dearest, he's only a baby! And boys are different from girls. You can't expect them to have as good manners."
"I can't remember that I ever made a nuisance of myself."
"Your father was very strict with you. But surely you don't think it is right to make your children afraid of you?"
The genuine distress in her voice brought a laugh from him.
"Oh, well, they are your children, darling, and you may do as you please with them."
"Bad papa!" said Harry suddenly, chasing the last drop of syrup around his plate with a bit of bread crumb.
"Oh, no, precious; good papa! You must promise papa to be a little gentleman or he won't let you breakfast with him any more."