She looked at him anxiously.
“Are you feeling quite well, dear?” she said with concern.
“If you want to help,” said his sister sternly, “you might dig up that piece of my garden you and those other boys trampled down yesterday.”
William decided that a life of self-denial and service need not include fagging for sisters who spoke to one in that tone of voice. He pretended not to hear.
“Can I do anything at all for you this morning, Mother dear,” he said earnestly.
His mother looked too taken aback to reply. His father rose and folded up his newspaper.
“Take my advice,” he said, “and beware of that boy this morning. He’s up to something!”
William sighed again. Some family circles simply didn’t seem able to recognise a life of self-denial and service when they met it....
After breakfast he wandered into the garden. Before long Ginger, Douglas and Henry came down the road.
“Come on, William!” they called over the gate.