"But Aunt Dahlia! Do you realize what you've taken on? Have you an
inkling of the scourge you've introduced into your home? In the society
of young Thos., strong men quail. He is England's premier fiend in
human shape. There is no devilry beyond his scope."
"That's what I always gathered from the form book," agreed the
relative. "But just now, curse him, he's behaving like something out of
a Sunday-school story. You see, poor old Mr. Anstruther is very frail
these days, and when he found he was in a house containing two small
boys he acted promptly. He offered a prize of five pounds to whichever
behaved best during his stay.
"The consequence is that, ever since, Thomas has had large white wings
sprouting out of his shoulders." A shadow seemed to pass across her
face. She appeared embittered. "Mercenary little brute!" she said. "I
never saw such a sickeningly well-behaved kid in my life. It's enough
to make one despair of human nature."