Parents and Children Read Online Free PDF

affairs of childhood her province?’
    â€˜I meant what I said, my dear, as I generally do.’
    â€˜It is true that I give less time to these children than I gave to the elder ones,’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Why do you, Mother?’ said Luce, transferring her eyes.
    â€˜I seem to have less to give. You are in so many different stages. And I may have lost my knack or my zest as the years passed,’ said Eleanor, who spoke of herself with the same honesty as of other people. ‘And when the habit is broken, there is little to be done. My younger children are shy of me.’
    â€˜No, Mother, I don’t think they are.’
    â€˜They behave as if they were.’
    â€˜Mother, I think it is better to be at your best with your elderchildren,’ said Luce. ‘It is when they are older that they need understanding. There is little that cannot be done by nurses for young children.’
    â€˜That is assumed in our class,’ said Fulbert.
    â€˜You sound as if you do not approve of it, Father.’
    â€˜I don’t know that I know much of the subject,’ said Fulbert, with a suggestion that further knowledge would hardly add to him.
    â€˜Graham has always had his mother’s influence,’ said Daniel. ‘It almost seems a case where nothing can be done.’
    â€˜Boys, you might be monotonous,’ said Luce. ‘I don’t know how you contrive to be amusing.’
    â€˜I do not either,’ said Sir Jesse. ‘You might have the goodness to inform me.’
    â€˜Grandpa, you have had enough of them,’ said Luce, with swift compunction. ‘We forget we are not natural members of your house.’
    â€˜Indeed you are,’ said Regan.
    â€˜Grandma has said one of those little words that will be remembered,’ said Graham.
    â€˜As neither of you seems about to leave the table, I will do so myself,’ said Sir Jesse.
    â€˜No, Grandpa, you will not,’ said Luce, leaning forward and putting a hand on his arm. ‘You will stay here and have your smoke and talk with Father.’
    â€˜A strong man is checked in his course by a woman’s hand,’ said Graham.
    â€˜Will you both be silent?’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Boys, you are upsetting Mother,’ said Luce.
    â€˜I was always afraid that Graham would grow up to be a grief to her.’
    Sir Jesse rose and walked from the room.
    â€˜Boys, look at that,’ said Luce.
    â€˜I saw it myself,’ said Fulbert.
    â€˜Do you hear what I say, or do you not?’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Graham, answer your mother,’ said Daniel.
    â€˜You can answer me yourself,’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜No, you are mistaken, Mother. I am at a loss.’
    â€˜This is one of your worse moments, my boy,’ said Fulbert, with his air of enjoyment.
    â€˜He can easily put an end to it,’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Why am I not struck dead,’ said Daniel, ‘if that is a thing that has happened to people?’
    Regan’s deep laugh sounded through the room.
    â€˜I wish Grandpa had stayed to hear that laugh,’ said Luce.
    â€˜I wish he had done so for any reason,’ said Daniel.
    â€˜Daniel, I am waiting to be answered,’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Surely not still,’ said her son.
    â€˜You have staying power, my dear,’ said Fulbert.
    â€˜I forget what you asked now, Mother,’ said Luce.
    â€˜Oh, you are not equal to your mother, child,’ said Fulbert.
    â€˜Your brothers do not forget, and it was to them I spoke,’ said Eleanor.
    â€˜Mother, when you speak in that tone, I defy anyone to face you without flinching,’ said Luce.
    â€˜I do not accept the challenge,’ said Daniel.
    â€˜There is no real cause for annoyance, Eleanor, my dear,’ said Fulbert.
    â€˜I hope your father is of that opinion.’
    â€˜I am sure he is,’ said Regan, in an easy tone.
    â€˜Yes, Grandma, so somehow am I,’ said