The Fight For Timothy

           Mary’spoorpretentiousbabescreamedcontinually,withanoteofexultationinhisdin,asifhethoughthewasdevotinghimselftoalifeofpleasure,andoftenthelastsoundIheardasIgotmeoutofthestreetwashishaw-haw-haw,deliveredtriumphantlyasifitweresomeentirelynewthing,thoughhemusthavelearneditlikeaparrot.Ihadnotonetearforthewoman,butPoorfather,thoughtI;toknowthateverytimeyoursonishappyyouarebetrayed.Phew,anauseousdraught.

           Ihavetheacquaintanceofadeliciouslyprettygirl,whoisalwayssulky,andthethoughtlessbeseechhertobebright,notwittingwhereinliesherheroism.Shewasbornthemerriestofmaids,but,beingastudentofherface,learnedanonthatsulkinessbestbecomesit,andsoshehasstruggledandprevailed.Awoman’shistory.BraveMargaret,whennightfallsandthyhairisdown,dostthoureturn,Iwonder,tothynaturalstate,or,dreadingtheshadowofindulgence,sleepestthouevensulkily?

           Butwillamalechilddoasmuchforhisfather?Thisremainstobeseen,andso,afterwaitingseveralmonths,IdecidedtobuyDavidarocking-horse.MySt.Bernarddogaccompaniedme,thoughIhavealwaysbeendiffidentoftakinghimtotoy-shops,whichover-excitehim.HithertothetoysIhadboughthadalwaysbeenforhim,andaswedurstnotadmitthistothesaleswomanwewerebothhorriblyself-consciouswhenintheshop.AscoreoftimesIhavetoldhimthathehadmuchbetternotcome,Ihaveannouncedfiercelythatheisnottocome.Hethenletsgoofhislegs,whichishowaSt.