"
"Quite right," he said, gravely, "I'm afraid you hardly deserve the pretty
gifts I have brought."
"Oh, yes, yes, papa, we'll be good next time! Indeed we will! Mamma, coax
him!"
"Yes, do let them have them, Phil," urged his wife, "where would be the
use of keeping the things back after spending your money for them?"
"To teach them a good lesson. I'm afraid both you and I are foolishly
indulgent, Lucy."
"Oh, they'll be good next time."
"This once then, but only this once, unless they keep their word," he
said, producing his gifts--a book or toy for each of his own children, and
a package of sweetmeats which he divided among all present.
He had brought a new dog home with him, but no one but Eddie had noticed
it yet. He was stroking and patting it, saying, "Poor fellow, what kind of
a dog are you?"
"A French poodle," said Mr. Ross, coming up to them, "A good watch dog,
and excellent for scaring up the wild ducks for the sportsmen. Do you and
papa keep up the shooting lessons, master Eddie?"
"Yes, sir; papa has always said he meant to make me as good a shot as
himself, and mamma says it was never his way to give up till a thing's
thoroughly done," returned the boy, proudly.
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