Page:Girls of Central High on the Stage.djvu/199

Rh "Chet!" spoke his father, sternly.

"Well! I guess I didn't mean it just that way—not the way it sounded," the boy said hastily. "But mother does pick a fellow up so"

"I have been doing that all your life, my son," said his mother. "Whenever you stub your toe, mother has been their [sic] to comfort you."

"Got you there, Chet," laughed Laura. "And you used to be a terrible 'stumble heels,' too."

"Say! you're all down on me," declared her brother, but in a milder tone. "I reckon I'm not so popular in this house as I thought I was. But that isn't the answer to my question, Laura. Do you and Jess want to fly with us to-morrow just after lunch?"

"Of course we do," replied his sister. "I don't suppose mother has any real objection?"

"My objections to your sports and athletics seem to have very little reality about them, children," said Mrs. Belding. "Even my husband will not give me backing."

"When I see Chet and Laura anemic, or otherwise sickly, as the result of their out-of-door sports or gym. work, you will find me up in arms with you against such activities, Mother,"