“You don’t seem to be,” said Mrs Shingle tartly; “for you’re always finding fault.”
“Finding fault?”
Mrs Shingle nodded.
“Makes me happy. Then I come and smoke a pipe here one day, and one at Max’s another day; and you’re both so glad to see me that that makes me happy too. Ha! you’ve spoiled that girl of yours, or she wouldn’t go on like she does.”
“I’m sure Jessie couldn’t |be a better behaved girl!” exclaimed Mrs Shingle.
“Stuff! You never whipped her well, and Max never trained those boys. Good thing flogging! Makes the skin soft and elastic. Gives room to grow. Where’s Dick?”
“Gone to his brother’s.”
“Gone to his brother’s?”
Mrs Shingle nodded.
“What’s he gone there for?”