"Yes, and, father, you'd be perfectly astonished to hear him," chimed in Howard. "I never heard a fellow go on so in my life; he makes fun of every single thing his father says."
"Do you think there is anything very surprising in that?" asked Mr. Minturn coolly.
"Surprising! I guess you'd think so. Why, when his father is talking to him real soberly, he mimics him, and laughs right in his face."
"But I shouldn't suppose you would think there was anything strange about that."
The boys looked puzzled. "Why, Mr. Minturn!" said Ellis; "wouldn't you think it strange if Howard should do so?"
"Well, no; I don't know that I should have any reason to be astonished."
Howard looked not only surprised, but very much hurt. "I'm sure, father," he said, in a voice which trembled a little, "I didn't know I was so rude to you as all that."
"No," said Mr. Minturn, "you never have been, but I rather expect you to commence. I shall have no reason to be surprised if you and Ellis and Will Bailey, and a host of others, all go to making fun of what your fathers say to you after this."
The boys seemed perfectly astonished. "I, for one," said Ellis Holbrook proudly, "think too much of my father, to be in any such danger."
"You do?" said Mr. Minturn; "well, now, I am amazed. I supposed you would be the very worst one."