He was agitated now.
“That will do,” he said, looking up from the magazine he was trying to read, not because it interested him in the least, but because it helped to keep the noises out.
But the children were clamoring for an encore. “Again, again!” they cried. “Oh Mummy, do do it again!”
“Hsh-sh-sh. Daddy’s reading.” And Aggie drew the children closer to her, and went on with the rhyme in her sad, weak whisper.
“If you must read aloud to them, for goodness’ sake speak up and have done with it. I can’t stand that whispering.”
Aggie put down the picture-book, and Arty seized one half and Catty the other, and they tugged, till Catty let go and hit Arty, and Arty hit Catty back again, and Catty howled.
“Can’t you keep those children quiet?”
“Oh, Arty, shame! to hurt your little sister!”
At that Arty howled louder than Catty.
Arthur sat up in his chair.