Had a census of opinion been taken concerning Mrs. Tallcat's calls, Mrs. Tallcat would have found, much to her astonishment no doubt, that she possessed very few votes, and no votes at all from children.
"Would you very much mind if you didn't sit upon the sofa?" commenced
Ridgwell gently.
Mrs. Tallcat, always inclined towards huffiness at a moment's notice, consequently selected a chair.
"Is the sofa likely to give way?" inquired Mrs. Tallcat suspiciously.
"No," explained Christine, "it is because it is so strong and firm on its legs that we have chosen it."
"I never allow my boy to play upon the sofa," sniffed Mrs. Tallcat, as if she were referring to a piano.
"It isn't to play upon," remarked Ridgwell, "but we are expecting a very, very solid visitor."
Mrs. Tallcat sniffed for the second time. "I never allow my boy to make any remarks whatever upon visitors who call," responded Mrs. Tallcat icily.
"Oh, Lal doesn't mind," said Christine cheerfully.
"Who is Lal?" inquired Mrs. Tallcat, "a gentleman friend of your father's?"