"You dropped it there when you heard me come in." 

"No, sir! I've only been here a few minutes. I guess one of the fellows was in here before me. They're always swiping your coffin-nails. You ought to do something about it, pop. You ought to assert yourself." 

A sense of helplessness came upon Mr. Pett. For the thousandth time, he felt himself baffled by this calm, goggle-eyed boy who treated him with such supercilious coolness. 

"You ought to be out in the open air this lovely morning," he said feebly. 

"All right. Let's go for a walk. I will if you will." 

"I--I have other things to do," said Mr. Pett, recoiling from the prospect. 

"Well, this fresh-air stuff is overrated anyway. Where's the sense of having a home if you don't stop in it?"When I was your age, I would have been out on a morning like this--er--bowling my hoop."

"And look at you now!"

"What do you mean?"

"Martyr to lumbago."

"I am not a martyr to lumbago," said Mr. Pett, who was touchy on the subject.

"Have it your own way. All I know is--"

"Never mind!"

"I'm only saying what mother . . ."

"Be quiet!"

Ogden made further researches in the candy box.

"Have some, pop?"

"No."

"Quite right. Got to be careful at your age."

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