them up as no one else could. In my opinion, they are nearly perfect."

"You talk nonsense of that kind because you are blinded by your
fatherly affection. Now, let me assure you, in full confidence, that I
never came across more neglected and more utterly absurd little
creatures. Good-looking they are--you are a fine-looking man yourself,
and your wife was certainly pretty--the children take after you both.
I have nothing to say against their appearance; but they talk utter
gibberish; and as to that eldest little girl, if she is not given
something sensible to occupy her I cannot answer for the consequence.
My dear David, I don't want to interfere with your estate."

"You could not, Jane; I would not permit it."

"But with regard to the children, I really have experience. I have
five children of my own, and I think, if you were to see them, you
would be well assured that Iris and Diana, Apollo and Orion would do
well to take example by them. We might change the names of the boys
and give them titles not quite so terrible."

"I wish them to be called by the names their mother chose," said Mr.
Delaney, with great firmness.

"Well, I suppose the poor children will live it down, but they will
have a terrible time at school. However, they are too young for
anything of that kind at present. Give me the children, David, and I
will act as a mother to them; then pack up your belongings, put your
estate into the hands of a good agent, and go abroad for some years."

"It would be an untold relief," said Mr. Delaney.