“But I must turn against you, Percy. It is my duty as your mamma to teach and lead you, and when you are going wrong to scold you for being naughty. Now, put those children down directly, and go upstairs and brush your hair, and then go and see Mr William Forth Burge, who will, I dare say, being a very respectable sort of man, talk to you for your benefit. Hazel, my dear, make my compliments to Mr William Forth Burge, and tell him I am much gratified by his calling, but that I never receive till after three o’clock. Tuesdays and Fridays used to be my days, but of course one cannot be so particular now.”
“Yes, mother,” said Hazel quietly. “Come, Percy,” she continued, and she took his hand.
“I say, Hazy, must I go?” said the lad, wiping the perspiration from his forehead.
“Yes: come along and be brave and respectful. Let Mr Burge see that you are truly sorry, and I think he will try and see your employers, and make some arrangement.”
“What—so that there shall be no police bother?” he asked eagerly.
“Yes, I hope so.”
“I couldn’t stand that, Hazy; I couldn’t indeed. I should go and enlist or jump off a bridge, or something of the kind.”
“Don’t be foolish, Percy, but try and meet the difficulty like a man.”
“Yes,” he said, “I will. But stop a moment. I say, is my collar all right? Those children have been tumbling me.”
“Yes, it looks quite right.”