"Daddy!" said George, shy and very nervous.
Osborn wondered why this boy was nervous of him. Forgetting his previous sharpness and irritation with the children, he now suddenly wanted George's confidence.
"Daddy's back!" he said, "with lots of stories to tell you about great big ships and trains and wonderful birds which you never saw."
"How splendid!" said the boy, still very shy. He had a guilty feeling about his boisterous entry.
"I was afraid you would be cross with me for making a noise when I came in," he explained.
"Like you used to be," Minna added.
"I'm not cross, old son," Osborn said slowly.
"We're going to have tea now, Daddy," Minna continued, as the maid entered with a cloth and a tray.
Osborn stayed talking to the children while the tea things were set upon the table. He supposed that they would all have tea together in the way which he had once so heartily deplored, and which at this moment seemed so dear and homely, until he saw the maid standing respectfully behind her chair waiting for his departure.
He spoke genially, but ill at ease.