“You mean, may I?” Miss Bibby said mechanically.
“Well, may I?”
“Certainly not. You will sit quite still as a gentleman should when ladies are still eating.”
Max cast a lowering glance at the ladies.
“Well, make her hurry,” he said; “look at her taking anover lot of leam.” He glared at Muffie.
“I shall take six lots of cream, if I choose,” said Muffie. “I’ve got to put something on to take away the taste of your horrid dirty bib.”
“It was a clean one, Muffie, or I should have passed you a fresh plateful,” said Miss Bibby; “at the same time that does not excuse Max for his ill-behaviour. Max, before I can overlook your conduct you must apologize to Muffie and to Anna.”
Muffie looked important; she rather enjoyed being apologized to.
Max sat very square on the big books of his chair; possibly their presence beneath him encouraged his rebellion by reminding him that until he took a firm stand against it a month or two ago a high chair had been considered fitted to his dignity.
“I’ve done wiv bibs,” he announced, and he looked the whole table fairly in the face.