My wife and I had quite a spirited debate recently.
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It concerned our youngest, who had been getting into trouble again,
throwing stones at a neighbor's cat, or doing some such boyish
misdemeanor, and his mother expressed her opinion that he was surely a
chip of the old block.
This was not the first time I had heard her say that.
And, the worst of it was, I recognized its truth.
Nevertheless, being a man, and the head of the family, I thought I
ought to protest.
"I suppose you believe the lad inherits all his good qualities from
you, and his evil propensities from me?" I remarked, loftily.
"Certainly, I have good authority for it," she replied, not disturbed
in the least by my haughty demeanor.
You see, she has known me a long time.
"Indeed," I said, "where do you get your authority?"
"Oh! from the Bible--you know it says that the sins of the father shall
be visited upon the children."