Freddy.—Yes, he is somebody.
Ernest.—You're nobody; I'm nobody; we are all nobody, compared to mamma.
Freddy. (stolidly).—Yes, I am somebody.
Ernest.—You're nothing; I'm nothing; we are all nothing in mamma's presence.
Freddy.—But, Ernest, every thing is something; so I must be something.
Ernest.—Yes, Freddy, but you're no thing; so you're nothing. You're nothing to mamma.
Freddy.—But I'm mamma's.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Vicar's Daughter, by George MacDonald