"Humphrey," shouted his father, "put my razor down."
In the glass he had caught sight of a well-soaped face, and spoke just in time to stop the operation.
Punishment always follows sin, and Humphrey was dispatched to the nursery to have his face sponged and dried.
By taking a slide down the banisters, however, he made up for lost time, and arrived at the library-door at the same time as his father and brother.
Uncle Charlie was standing by the window, ready dressed; and the gong sounding at that moment, they all went in to dinner.
The two little brothers had a chair on each side of their father, and an occasional share in his food.
Dinner proceeded in silence. Uncle Charlie was enjoying his soup, and Sir Everard, dividing himself between his little boys and his meal.
"It's William's birthday to-day," said Humphrey, breaking silence.
The unfortunate individual in white silk stockings, thus suddenly brought into public notice, reddened to the roots of his hair; and in his confusion nearly dropped the dish he was in the act of putting down before his master.