“How can you make such foolish promises, Maria?” said Sir James petulantly. “There, hold your tongue, sir, and you may stay another half-hour.”
“But ma said I might stop up as long as I liked,” howled Master Edgar.
“Then for goodness’ sake stop up all night, sir,” said Sir James impatiently; and Master Edgar stayed till the visitors had gone.
“Enjoyed your evening, my dear?” said the doctor.
“Ye–es, papa,” said his daughter; “I—”
“Might have enjoyed it more. Really, Helen, it is absurd. That man opposed my theory tooth and nail, and all the time he kept on proving it by indulging that boy. I say you can make what you like of a boy. Now what’s he making of that boy?”
“Sir James said he should make him a statesman,” said Helen, smiling.
“But he is making him a nuisance instead. Good-night.”
“Good-night, papa.”
“Oh, by the way, my dear, I shall have to prove my theory.”