"Wherever did you disappear to?" inquired his mother when, hungry but triumphant, Carl came home. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I didn't know you wanted me this morning, Ma," the boy replied, an afterglow of happiness still on his face.
"I didn't really want you but I wanted to know where you were. I've asked you time and time again when you go out to tell me where you're going."
"I wanted to, Mother, but it was such a long story. Last night you were too busy to hear it; and this morning there was no chance to talk to you either."
He heard his mother sigh.
"It's a pretty kind of a life I lead if my own children can't get a minute to talk to me."
"But you are busy, Ma. You know you are."
"I certainly do. Nobody knows it better," replied the woman with a sad shake of her head.
Carl, sensing the regret in her tone, hastened to say:
"Well, at least the family is not so thick around here now as usual. Where is everybody?"