‘“Why didn’t you take it?”
‘“Come—don’t all speak at once. I thought he would give more—I was sure of it—he looked it—so I asked him eight.”
‘“Well—and then?”
‘“He said he would call again.”
‘“Thunder and lightning! Why, Francois—”
‘“Oh, I know—I know! It was a mistake, and I was a fool. Boys, I meant for the best; you’ll grant me that, and I—”
‘“Why, certainly, we know that, bless your dear heart; but don’t you be a fool again.”
‘“I? I wish somebody would come along and offer us a cabbage for it—you’d see!”
‘“A cabbage! Oh, don’t name it—it makes my mouth water. Talk of things less trying.”
‘“Boys,” said Carl, “do these pictures lack merit? Answer me that.”