"I shan't quarrel," said Roland stiffly. "There are plenty other girls in this world."
"You are a philosopher, I see," said his father.
Roland felt that this had gone far enough. Why should his father talk pleasantly to Oliver, who had defied his authority the day before? If this went on, Oliver would be encouraged in his insubordination. He felt that it was necessary to revive the subject.
"I expect my ball is lost," he said in an aggrieved tone.
"What ball?" asked his father.
"The ball I batted out into the road yesterday afternoon."
"Probably someone has picked it up," said Mr. Kenyon, proceeding to open an egg.
Roland was provoked at his father's coolness and unconcern.
"If Oliver had picked it up for me it would not have been lost," he continued, with a scowl at our hero.
"If you had picked it up yourself, wouldn't it have answered the same purpose?"