“I thought you might have eaten something that didn’t agree with you,” said Tom.
“Well, I declare!” ejaculated Mrs. Middleton. “You beat all for impudence!”
“I generally treat people well if they treat me well,” said Tom composedly, “but if you are impudent to me, I shall answer accordingly.”
This was too much for Mrs. Middleton. Had Tom still been rich, he would have had a right to assume such a tone, but in a poor boy it was intolerable.
“I’ll tell Mr. Middleton how you treat me!” she said angrily.
“Do,” said Tom, “if you want to.”
“Nathan,” called his wife, opening the door of the apartment in which her liege lord was reading.
“What is the matter, my dear?”
“Thomas has been impudent to me.”
“Thomas, this is a serious charge,” said Nathan severely.