“A great piece of pine-apple stuck in his throat,” said the doctor. “I say, youngster, you should use your teeth.”
“Edgar, drink some water,” said Sir James sternly.
Master Edgar caught up his wine-glass, and drained it.
“Now, sir, leave the room!” said Sir James.
“Oh, don’t, don’t be harsh with him, James,” said her ladyship pathetically. “The poor boy has suffered enough.”
“I say he shall leave the room,” cried Sir James in a towering fury; and Master Edgar uttered a howl.
“Really, James, I—”
Here her ladyship had an hysterical fit, and had to be attended to, what time Master Edgar howled loudly till the butler had been summoned and he was led off like a prisoner, while her ladyship grew worse, but under the ministrations of Helen Grayson, suddenly becoming better, drank a glass of water, and wiped her eyes.
“I am so weak,” she said unnecessarily, as she rose from the dessert-table and left the room with Helen Grayson, who had hard work once more to keep her countenance, as she encountered her father’s eye.
“Spoils him, Grayson,” said Sir James, as they settled down to their port. “Noble boy, though, wonderful intellect. I shall make him a statesman.”