"Nurse says so, papa," answered Allen; "I heard her telling Jock
yesterday that he would never be any taller till he stood still and
gave himself time."
"Get out, will you!" was then heard from the prostrate Robert, the
monster having taken care to become petrified right across his legs.
"But papa," Janet's voice was heard, "if Oliver Cromwell had not
helped the Waldenses—-"
It was lost, for Bobus and Jock were rolling over together with too
much noise to be bearable; Grandmamma turned round with an
expostulatory "My dears," Mamma with "Boys, please don't when papa is
tired-—"
"Jock is such a little ape," said Bobus, picking himself up.
"Father, can you tell me why the moon draws up the tides on the wrong
side?"
"You may study the subject," said the Doctor; "I shall pack you all
off to the seaside in a day or two."
There was one outcry from mother, wife, and boys, "Not without you?"
"I can't go till Drew comes back from his outing-—"
"But why should we? It would be so much nicer all together."
"It will be horribly dull without; indeed I never can see the sense
of going at all," said Janet.
There was a confused outcry of indignation, in which waves-—crabs-—
boats and shrimps, were all mingled together,
"I'm sure that's not half so entertaining as hearing people talk in
the evening," said Janet.
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