He is such a big fellow now; taller than I am.

I sometimes wish," said Lady Mary, laying the miniature on the table as though she could not bear to shut it away immediately, "that one's children never grew up.

They are such darlings when they are little, and they are bound, of course, to disappoint one sometimes as they grow older." John Crewys felt almost murderously inclined towards Peter.

So the young cub had presumed to disappoint his mother as he grew older! How dared he?
Poor Lady Mary was quite unconscious of the feelings with which he gazed at the little case in his hand.
"Not that my boy has ever _really_ disappointed me--yet," she said, with her pretty apologetic laugh.

"I only mean that, in the course of human nature, it's bound to come, now and then." "No doubt," said John, gently.
Then she allowed him to examine the rest of the cabinet, whilst she talked on, always of Peter--his horsemanship and his shooting and his prowess in every kind of sport and game.
* * * * * Meanwhile, Lady Belstone was holding a hurried consultation with her sister.
"How thoughtless you are, Georgina, asking our cousin into the dining-room just when Ash must be laying the cloth for dinner.