"What is it, my dear?"
"I find that our woodpile needs replenishing. Will you stop at Mr. Webber's on your way to the post-office and ask him to call? I want to speak to him about sawing and splitting a new supply."
"My dear," said her husband, "let me make a suggestion. Why employ Mr. Webber when you have a strong, able-bodied boy in the house?"
"Do you mean Robert?"
"There is no other boy in the house, I take it."
"But," expostulated Mrs. Talbot, "there is no occasion to put Robert at such work. I am quite able to employ and pay Mr. Webber."
"And bring up the boy in idleness. That's a very bad plan. He will be getting lazy."
"He has his studies to attend to."
"He needs physical exercise."
"He plays ball and foot-ball."