"Yes, that is my oldest. Henry, come here and speak to your aunty."

But Henry did not change either attitude, motion, nor expression,
any more than if he had been a swinging automaton.

"Did you hear me?" Mrs. Laurie spoke with a slight change in her
voice and manner.

The boy remained as impassive as before.

"Come, dear, and shake hands with me," said Mrs. Fleetwood.

Henry now put one of his thumbs into his mouth, but neither looked
nor acted less savagely than at first.

Mrs. Laurie was fretted at this unfavourable exhibition of himself
by her son. She felt as if she would like to get hold of him and box
his ears until they burned for a week.

"Henry! Come here!" She spoke in a tone of command. The door was
quite as much impressed as her son.

"Either come and speak to your aunty, or go down-stairs
immediately."

The boy moved not.

This was too much for Mrs. Laurie, and she started towards him.
Henry let go of the door, and went down-stairs about as quietly as a