"Mercy on us!" blustered Mr. Croyden. "I don't see how you can. The middle of July? That settles it. There must be no more kidnapping Theo for golf or tennis, Madeline. From now on he is to be my guest. Understand that."
Mrs. Croyden bowed her head with amusing meekness.
"It shall be as you say, my lord," she answered. "But are you expecting to take Theo to the factory every moment of every day?"
"I don't know," was the grim reply. "That will all depend on how rapidly he learns the business."
There was a general laugh.
"How long has it taken you to learn it, Mr. Croyden?" questioned Theo mischievously.
"Me? Oh, about thirty years."
"Then at that rate I see I shall not get to Lake George this season," returned the boy with a smile.
"Oh, I'll be easy with you this first time," Mr. Croyden answered. "I cannot afford to kill you or get you frightened, or you never will come again."
"I guess you needn't worry about my not coming again," Theo retorted. "I have had far too good a time."