"Sh-sh—don't make a fuss," she said, meeting him in the hall. "Little boys must be seen and not heard. Go and put that ball away. You might break something. Never mind that cat. Get out of my way. I wonder what your mother can be thinking about."
"Tommie," his mother called from a neighboring room.
"Maam."
"Come here."
"I ain't doin' nothin'."
"Oh, let him alone, I pray you," said the proprietor's wife, inclining her head and smiling at the mother, who had appeared in the doorway. "I was simply afraid that he might break something with his ball, but do let him enjoy himself, I beseech you. Children will be children, you know."
"I do hope he won't cause you any trouble," the mother replied. "I do the very best I can with him, but—I—I—come here, son."
She reached out, took the boy by the hand, and drew him into the room.