“Take the children outside a bit, Belinda,” said her mother, after the tea things had been removed.
“Got my ’ome lessons to do,” said Belinda.
“Do ’em when you come back,” said Mrs. Wheeler.
“Sha’n’t ’ave time,” replied Belinda, taking her books from a shelf; “they’ll take me all the evening. We’ve all got a lot of ’ome lessons to-night.”
“Never mind, you take ’em out,” persisted Mrs. Wheeler.
“When I want to go out,” said Belinda, rebelliously, “you won’t let me.”
“Do as your mother tells you,” commanded Mr. Wheeler, with excellent sternness.
“I want a little quiet,” said Mrs. Wheeler; “a little fresh air will do you good, Peter.”
“I’ll go and smoke my pipe in the washhouse,” said Mr. Wheeler, who had his own notions of healthful recreation.
“Take your pipe outside,” said Mrs. Wheeler, significantly. “Did you ’ear what I said, Belinda?”