When he came in he used to have some tea in the nursery.

We found that out the last day--the children were sent for, and Mr.
Hamilton came down with them, looking rather sheepish, and saying that he had tried sitting on at one side of the table, with the nursery maid at the other, after the children had gone, but that it didn't do.

I remember we were very much amused at the idea; the picture was such a ridiculous one.
"The children certainly seemed to like him extraordinarily--they would talk to no one else: and I can't think why, because children are so impressionable, and he had quite the gravest face I ever saw--almost forbidding.

However, so it was.
"He used to disappear to his room, to read and write, before dinner.
At dinner he was often very good fun.

I have heard him tell some very funny stories, not very racy perhaps, but amusing; and these, coming from that grave face, were very ridiculous.