Page:Orange Grove.djvu/75

 of the matter, and confronting it in its first stage without any exaggeration."

"The theatre is a good place to illustrate this, and now we will discuss that subject. What a quiet time we are having. It seems all the pleasanter for the storm outside. Mother, why don't you speak?"

"You had better give her a chance. She could not get a word in edgewise," said Walter.

"It's you that fill up the chinks. After telling me repeatedly that you did not wish to be interrupted, you have improved every opportunity to slide in some thing, and now do not even allow mother the time to answer a question."

"It seems to me my children delight in running each other to night. Walter, how does your sum progress, or your equation rather?"

"Oh nicely. I shall get it one of these days, that is, if Rosa will let me alone."

"Walter! I wish father would send you from the room till you have finished it."

"I fear if I did, my daughter would be interceding for him to come back. How is it about the theatre, what speculations have you been making upon that?"

"Priscilla Greenwood's mother says it is a very wicked place, and she would not allow a.child of hers to go there upon any consideration. I know you never appeared very anxious for us to go, yet you have taken us there sometimes, and I have enjoyed it. Havn't you Walter?"

"I don't like it. Nothing but love, love, love from the beginning to the end of the chapter. Dying for