"Have you the geography and the map?"
The boys glance over at the book shelf and look confused. "We haven't begun yet," says Lennart.
"Indeed!" says father. "You must have been up to something else." He straightens up, thoroughly pleased with himself. He has an advantage, which he doesn't care to let go until he has browbeaten them very effectually.
Both boys are silent. Ever since the day they accompanied father to the Opera, they have felt sympathy for him, and it has not been such an effort for them to be kind to him as it was before. But, naturally, they haven't for a moment thought of taking father into their confidence. He has not risen in their estimation although they are sorry for him.
"Were you writing letters?" father asks in his severest tone.
"No," say both boys at the same time.
"What were you doing?"
"Oh, just talking."
"That isn't true. I saw that Lennart hid something in the drawer of the table."
Now both boys are mum again.