Kaituna directed another look of scorn at the unhappy Maxwell, which inspired him with a vehement desire to break Toby's head. He refrained, however, and smiled in a sickly manner.
"I prefer Shakespeare," he said at length, telling the best lie he could under the circumstances.
"Dry old stick," observed Tommy, lightly. "There's no fun in him."
"But he's so high class."
"Listen to the virtuous one," said Clendon, scoffingly. "Oh, my gracious! that my boy should talk such jargon. You don't feel ill, do you, Archie?"
"No, I don't," retorted Archie, in a rage, seeing that Kaituna was enjoying this little dialogue with great zest. "I wish you'd be quiet and sing something."
"How can I be quiet and sing also?"
"Dosing, Mr. Clendon," said Kaituna, with a kind flash of her beautiful eyes at the happy bard.
Maxwell suppressed a second naughty word and sat down in dismal silence.
"What shall I sing?" asked Toby, running his fingers over the piano.