"Grandmother," said David, "isn't it safe to conclude they mean just what they say?"
"Then we should never ask anybody to dinner!" cried his mother.
"And we should never have a party again," said Judy.
"Society would be at an end," said Mrs. Laval.
"And we should fill our house with horrid wretches," cried Judy, "and have to take up our carpets and clean house every time."
David was silent while these various charges were eagerly poured out. Norton looked at him a little scornfully; Matilda anxiously; but he was only sorrowfully quiet, till his grandmother turned to him with her question.
"What would you do, Davy?"
"He'd do anything absurd and ridiculous," said Judy; "the more the better. He is just fit for it. What's the use of asking him, grandma?"
"I would like to hear, my dear, if you will let him speak. I would like to know what the words say to you, Davy."
"Grandmother," said David thoughtfully, "it seems to me the words forbid that we should ask people just that they may ask us;—or do anything of that sort."