Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/90

66  Yes, and papa, too.

 But isn't papa very—very strict with you?  What's strict?  Being cross when you do things.

 Auntie Dorothy says papa soils me.

 [Another little laugh.] You mean spoils.  What's spoils?  Indulging you—giving you all your own way.  Papa is going to give me a puppy for my birthday.

 Really! [Lifting the child on to her knee, her voice beginning to break.] Do you know, when I was a little girl like you my father gave me a little dog for my birthday.  Did your papa soil—spoil—you, then?