He had almost beforehand settled what he thought of it, and practically what he intended to say.
But when he came in that evening he was overheard to have a strenuous and increasingly violent argument with Archie in the hall.
Edith opened the door and wanted to know what the row was about.
'Will you tell me, Edith, where your son learns such language?
He keeps on worrying me to take him to the Zoological Gardens to see the--well--you'll hear what he says.

The child's a perfect nuisance.
Who put it into his head to want to go and see this animal?
I was obliged to speak quite firmly to him about it.' Edith was not alarmed that Bruce had been severe.

She thought it much more likely that Archie had spoken very firmly to him.

He was always strict with his father, and when he was good Bruce found fault with him.

As soon as he grew really tiresome his father became abjectly apologetic.
Archie was called and came in, dragging his feet, and pouting, in tears that he was making a strenuous effort to encourage.
'You must be firm with him,' continued Bruce.