Part 44 (2/2)
”Mother said p'r'aps you would”
It was true there had been talk of a doll; he had forgotten it
”I tell you what I'll do,” said Edward Henry ”I'll take you to London, and you can choose a doll in London You never saw such dolls as there are in London--talking dolls that shut and open their eyes and say papa and mamma, and all their clothes take off and on”
”Do they say 'father'?” growled Robert
”No, they don't,” said Edward Henry
”Why don't they?” growled Robert
”When will you take me?” Maisie almost squealed
”To-morrow”
”Certain sure, fahver?”
”Yes”
”You promise, fahver?”
”Of course I proe for hi caprice of his father's for taking Maisie to London He saw that, despite spellings, it would never do to let Maisie alone go
He was about to put his father through a cross-examination, but Henry Edward dropped Ralph (who had been cliraph pole) on to the bed and went over to the , nervously, and tapped thereon
Carlo followed hi an untidy tail
”hello, Trent!”
Ralph exploded into loud laughter
”Father's called 'Carlo'--'Trent,'” he roared ”Father, have you forgotten his nareatest jokes that Ralph had heard for a long time
Then Nellie hurried into the room, and Edward Henry, with a ”Mustn't be late for tea,” as hurriedly left it
Three minutes later, while he was bent over the lavatory basin, someone burst into the bathroom He lifted a soapy face
It was Nellie, with disturbed features
”What's this about your positively pro to take Maisie to London to-morrow to choose a doll?”
”I'll take 'em all,” he replied with absurd levity ”And you too!”
”But really--” she pouted, indicating that he must not carry the ridiculous too far
”Look here, d----n it,” he said impulsively, ”I _want_ you to come
And I want you to come to-morrow I kneas the confounded infants you wouldn't leave You don't e it--a woman like you!”