Phil. Oh, no, he doesn't. You'll see how he looks pretty soon. Come along, let's try our new sleds.
[Exeunt.
Mother. My dear, I want to speak to you. [Father drops paper.] Sarah tells me that Tom has been very naughty and cross. He wouldn't do as she told him, and was disagreeable to the other children.
Father. Tom! Why, he's the best-tempered chicken I've got.
Mother. I believe you think so just because he's named after you. But he is really dreadfully provoking sometimes, and I don't know what to do with him now.
Father. Oh, ho! You've given up in despair, and want to fall back on me?
Mother. Not at all. But I'd like your advice. Would you pay no attention to it, or would you take him to task for his naughtiness?
Father. Mary, I always told you you couldn't manage the boys. You are too gentle and yielding. You are never strict enough. You ought to be firm, my dear!
Mother. Firm like yourself? Oh, Tom, who was it that wouldn't punish the boys when they played truant, and pretended to know nothing about it when they went in swimming unbeknownst?
Father. Oh, well, Mary, you couldn't expect me to be hard on them for the very things I did myself!