“Well, Sir John, I—”
“Wait a minute. Now, Jack, in what way was Edward insolent to you?”
“Only laughed, Sir John.”
“Be silent, sir! Now, Jack!”
“He irritated me, father,” said the lad hastily. “He came to worry me with an absurd request, and—and when I ridiculed it, he burst out laughing in a rude, insolent way.”
“Beg pardon, Sir John,” said the man respectfully.—“Not insolent, Master Jack.”
“Say Mr Jack.”
“Certn’y, Sir John. Mister Jack actually made a joke,—it wasn’t a good one, Sir John, but it seemed so rum for him to make a joke, and then get in a passion, that I bust out larfin, Sir John, and I couldn’t help it really.”
Sir John looked wonderingly at his son for an explanation.
“It was only a bit of petulant nonsense, father,” stammered the lad. “I’m very sorry.”