Occasionally, as Aunt Elizabeth put a fresh question, he would regard her with a long stare, but otherwise gave no sign of animation.

This finally so exasperated my aunt that she addressed him-- "Thomas, do not stare." Thomas looked mildly surprised for a moment, and then inquired, "Why not ?" "Does the boy think I'm a wild Indian ?" The question was addressed to me, but I could not say, so kept a discreet silence.

Thomas relieved me from my difficulty by answering, "No," thoughtfully.
"Then why stare so?
I'm sure I don't know what boys are made of, nowadays." "Slugs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails," was the dreamy answer.
"Thomas, how dare you?
I should like to catch the person who taught you such nonsense.

I'd teach him!" "It was Uncle Loveday," remarked the innocent Thomas.
There was an awful pause; which I broke at length by asking to be allowed to go.

Aunt Elizabeth saw her way to getting rid of the offender.
"Thomas, you might walk with Jasper over the downs to Lantrig.
It will be nice exercise for you." "It may be exercise, aunt, but--" "Do not answer me, but go.