The conversation at last drifted off to the training of children. This
was brought about most deftly by Mrs. Harmon, solely for Mrs. Royal's
benefit. Mrs. Harmon had no children, and, as is generally the case,
she considered herself a great authority as to how children should be
managed. There was no half-way measure in her system of training. She
knew, and that ended it.

Mrs. Harmon was ably supported by Miss Arabella Simpkins, a woman of
uncertain age, exceedingly precise, and subject to severe attacks of
"nerves." Her thin lips remained tightly compressed as she listened
for some time to the conversation. As mothers who had brought up
children told how difficult a problem it was, Miss Arabella's eyes
gleamed with a scornful pity, and her nose tilted higher in the air
than ever. Then when at last she did open her lips, she uttered words
laden with great wisdom. It was disgraceful, so she said, the way
children were indulged at the present day. It was seldom that you
could find parents who had any real control over their offspring. Oh,
yes, she knew.

Scarcely had she finished speaking ere Rodney appeared at the door,
barefooted, hatless, his blouse dirty, his cheeks aglow, and his eyes
blazing with excitement. In his grimy hands he clasped some precious
treasure. He hesitated for an instant when he saw so many women in the
room. But nothing could restrain him. He had made a marvellous
discovery, and wished to show it to others.

Miss Arabella was right before him, a few feet away. For her he
darted, and dropped suddenly into her lap a big-eyed, hump-back toad.
Instantly there followed a wild shriek of terror, as the spinster
leaped from her chair, sending the innocent toad sprawling upon the