"The disobedience was the same in the action, Isabel. I shall send him into the nursery. I shall take him there myself."
Isabel's eyes suffused, as Mr. Boscawen left the dining-room with the crying recreant Tommy. She turned to her sister.
"Oh! Chrystal, was it not severe to carry away that dear child, for one drop of wine only?"
"Boscawen was quite right, my dear Isabel."
"Do you really think so? Do you really think he was right to banish the darling child, when it was such a pretty, coaxing trick? Did you see his little, cunning, dear eyes?"
"Boscawen justly thinks, Isabel, that cunning habits and disobedience will increase, if it is not checked."
"Oh! I hope it won't increase—dear child—I should be sorry to see him grow sly." Mr. Boscawen returned. "My love, did Tommy cry? Was he very much hurt—poor dear? Did you leave him crying?"
"My dear Isabel, you have brought this upon him, by not checking disobedience in the first instance. You have allowed the child twice to steal your wine."
"My dear Boscawen—steal! indeed, that sounds dreadful! I hope my children will never steal! It was indeed my fault! Poor, dear child!—I dare say he is crying dreadfully now. Let me beg for my child, Boscawen."