"That's what my wife would call speaking 'flatly and frankly'! Well, Mrs. Richie, I never wrote a better prescription in my life. You look like a different woman, already."
And, indeed, the youth in her face was as careless as David's own. But it flagged when he added that he hoped her brother would not think the care of David would be too much for her.
"Oh, no," she said, briefly.
"I feel like saying 'I told you so'! I knew you would like to have a child about."
"I do, but he is a tyrant. Aren't you, David? I have to get up for breakfast!"
"Terrible," said William delightedly.
"Why, but it is. I don't know when I've done such a thing! At first I thought I really couldn't. But I couldn't leave him all by himself, down-stairs—could I, David?"
"I'd just as lieves," said David, gently.
"Oh, how like your sex!" Helena cried.
"What do you suppose I've come for?" Dr. King began in the bantering tone one uses to a child. "I've come to get you to exert your influence to improve business. Business!" he repeated, delighted at his own absurdity; "a lady who finds it hard to get up in the mornings."