“I’d rather have one,” he muttered.
“Hush,” she said, severely, “and listen. The two words are, ‘Thank you.’”
“You’re welcome,” returned Tom, “or, as the French say, ‘There is nothing of what—’ Hello, Bonny, what’s the joke?”
Bonny, in a gentlemanly convulsion of laughter, was turning his face toward the wall in their direction.
The lad stopped, and while Berty and Tom stood silently admiring his almost beautiful face, which was just now as rosy as a girl’s, he grew composed.
“I call you to witness, friends,” he said, slightly upraising one hand, “that I never in my life before have laughed at dear Grandma.”
“You’ve been cross with her,” said Berty.
“Cross, yes, once or twice, but Grandma isn’t a person to laugh at, is she?”
“Well, not exactly,” said Berty. “I never saw anything funny about Grandma.”