Josie, mother feels dreadfully because you all have been so naughty.

Winthrop!--your finger! Instantly! Clemence, baby, where on earth did you acquire all that grime on your face and fists ?" And to her brother: "Such a household, Phil! Everybody incompetent--including me; everything topsy-turvy; and all five dogs perfectly possessed to lie on that pink rug in the music room .-- _Have_ they been there to-day, Drina ?--while you were practising ?" "Yes, and there are some new spots, mother.

I'm _very_ sorry." "Take the children away!" said Mrs.Gerard.But she bent over, kissing each culprit as the file passed out, convoyed by the amply revenged nurses.

"No marmalade, remember; and mother has a great mind _not_ to come up at bedtime and lean over you.

Mother has no desire to lean over her babies to-night." To "lean over" the children was always expected of this mother; the direst punishment on the rather brief list was to omit this intimate evening ceremony.
"M-mother," stammered the Master of Fox Hounds, "you _will_ lean over us, won't you ?" "Mother hasn't decided--" "Oh, muvver!" wailed Josie; and a howl of grief and dismay rose from Winthrop, modified to a gurgle by the forbidden finger.
"You _will_, won't you ?" begged Drina.