“O, you are out at Bobbety’s Island?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How can you leave your cats?”
“My wife is there, sir. I’ve come up to the city to spend Christmas.”
“What about your wife?”
“O, sir, women can enjoy the pleasures of solitude better than men, and, then, she is fond of the cats.”
The Judge looked disapprovingly at him, then saying, “We must go,” he made a sign of farewell to Mrs. Tingsby.
“Beat him,” said Mafferty, nodding at Titus, “if he doesn’t work. Don’t let him idle if you half kill him. The devil’s real name is ‘Loafer.’”
The Judge nodded significantly, and all the boarders and children stood up as he left the kitchen.
“By the way,” he said, turning suddenly, “the little girl sent some toys to you children.”