Father. Ah, here's Mary again.
Mother. Well, what did you say?
Father. I—a—I scolded him.
Mother. What did he say?
Father. He said—well—in fact, he didn't say anything.
Mother. Wouldn't, you mean. Did you punish him?
Father. Punish him? No, I didn't punish him. Come, now, Mary, you don't mean to say you want me to punish him on Christmas morning? I really couldn't do that.
Mother. Oh, no, I don't want you to punish him.
Father. Well, my dear, on the whole, I think perhaps you'd better talk to him. I'll send him down.
[Exit.