“Yes,” said his father, “that interrupts me—to hear a dispute between you and Lucy.”
“O father,” said Rollo, “we were not disputing.”
“It was only the commencement of a dispute, I acknowledge,” said his father; “but when you had agreed to be Lucy’s scholar, to hear you refusing to obey her directions, and beginning to argue with her, disturbs my mind at once.”
“Well, sir,” said Rollo, “then I’ll draw the dog.”
There was no more disputing, and no more interruption, for more than half an hour. Rollo was Lucy’s scholar, and he followed her instructions with great faithfulness and docility. At length, just as Rollo was finishing the chimney of a house, he saw that his father was getting up, and beginning to put his papers away.
“Have you finished your work, father?” said Rollo.
“Yes,” replied his father; “and when I have put away my papers, I am coming to see you. I think you had better put away your drawing, too.”
“Yes, so we will,” said Lucy. “I am tired of drawing now.”
Rollo put away the paper, which he had not used, reserving that which had his and Lucy’s drawing upon it, to show to his mother; and he gave Lucy the pencils to carry into the other room. Then he put the board away in its place again, and set the lamp upon the table. By this time, his father was ready; and he came and sat down upon the sofa, while Lucy took her place upon one side, and Rollo upon the other.
“I believe,” said Mr. Holiday, “that children very often don’t understand exactly how it is that they interrupt their parents, when they are busy. They think it is noise which constitutes interruption.”