"Oh!"
"My grand nephew."
"Oh!"
"His mother is the lady whose portrait hangs in my study."
"Oh!"
It was plain that Sarah was deeply offended. She rose and swept toward the door like a tragedy queen, and the General did not venture to ask her to remain.
"I should think," she said, pausing on the threshold, "that you would know by this time—deep emphasis on "this time,"—"that I am not always ready for a great houseful of company."
"Great houseful of company!" shouted the General, who had kept his temper as long as he was able. "One small boy is not 'a houseful of company,' madam!"
"He is worse!" retorted Sarah, "one small boy is worse than a barrel of monkeys!—you will see!"