The dad thought the mater absurdly sentimental, and the mater thought the dad unnecessarily vindictive.

Meanwhile the dog grew more ferocious-looking every day.
"One night my mother woke my father up with: 'Thomas, there's a burglar downstairs, I'm positive.

I distinctly heard the kitchen door open.' "'Oh, well, the dog's got him by now, then,' murmured my father, who had heard nothing, and was sleepy.
"'Thomas,' replied my mother severely, 'I'm not going to lie here while a fellow-creature is being murdered by a savage beast.

If you won't go down and save that man's life, I will.' "'Oh, bother,' said my father, preparing to get up.

'You're always fancying you hear noises.