He was not in the least annoyed by the inquiry; only a little bit perplexed.
"Let's see," he answered ruminatively, fingering his long beard, and looking at the ceiling. "I don't remember exactly—but over a hundred."
"Why!" put in Mrs. Smith, proudly, "you have a lot over a hundred." Then, to me, she explained: "I am the mother of eleven, and I have had thirty-two grandchildren in the last twelve years. There is forty-three, right there."
"Oh, you surely have a hundred and ten, father," said young Smith.
"Perhaps, perhaps," returned the modern Abraham, contentedly.
"I beat you, though!" laughed President Penrose.
"I don't know about that," interposed young Smith, sticking up for the family. "If father would count up I think you'd find he was ahead."
"How many have you?" President Smith inquired of his coadjutor.
President Penrose rubbed his hands and beamed with satisfaction.
"A hundred and twenty-odd," he said.