'Why, I just happened to be a bit late home, after the match. Saunders wanted me to see his rabbits, and it made me a little late; at least, it was really a lot late. There were some other fellows there, and I came away before most of them.'
'Well?'
'Well, now there is no end of a bother, because I sort of promised I would be home early to tea. The girls had got some friends coming, and wanted me to show off the magic-lantern. When I came in, Mother was crying, and the servant out looking for me. It's too silly! I'm not a baby!'
And Roger plunged his spoon afresh into his egg, as if he expected to find in it a remedy for his grievance.
'Jones minor says his mother is just the same; but the two Rhodeses, who live with an aunt, can do just as they like.'
Uncle James laid down his paper, and looked steadily at the fire.
'My mother was just the same,' he said.
'What, Granny?' exclaimed Roger. 'But she is so jolly. When I go to stay, I do what I like.'
'Did you ever hear, Roger,' asked Uncle James, 'about my sister Phyllis?'
'Who died when she was a little girl? Oh, yes, I have heard a little, of course. Tell me some more, please, Uncle.'