thankful that their lack of improvement can still entertain me. One
can never be thankful enough for really grotesque people. But I
confess I don't enjoy seeing people spiteful and mean and vicious.
I want to obliterate all that."

"I want it to be obliterated," said Mrs. Graves; "but I don't feel
equal to doing it. Oh, well, we mustn't get solemn over it; that's
the mischief! But I mustn't keep you gentlemen from more serious
pursuits--'real things,' I believe, Jack?"

"Mr. Kennedy has been sneaking on me," said Jack. "I don't like to
see people mean and spiteful. It gives me pain. I want all that
obliterated."

"This is what happens to my pupils," said Howard. "Come on, Jack,
you shall not expose my methods like this."

They went off with the old keeper, who carried a bag of writhing
ferrets, and was accompanied by a boy with a spade and a line and a
bag of cartridges. As they went on, Jack catechised Howard closely.

"Did my family behave themselves?" he said. "Did you want them
obliterated? I expect you had a good pull at the Governor, but
don't forget he is a good chap. He is so dreadfully interested, but
you come to plenty of sense last of all. I admit it is last, but
it's there. It's no joke facing him if there's a row! he doesn't
say much then, and that makes it awful. He has a way of looking out
of the window, if I cheek him, for about five minutes, which turns
me sick. Up on the top he is a bit frothy--but there's no harm in
that, and he keeps things going."