"Drina, the little minx, called me back on some flimsy pretext," he
said, relighting his cigar; "I forgot that time was going--and she was
wily enough to keep me talking until Miss Paisely caught me at it and
showed me out. I tell you," turning on Selwyn--"children are what make
life worth wh--" He ceased abruptly at a gentle tap from his wife's
foot, and Selwyn looked up.
Whether or not he divined the interference he said very quietly: "I'd
rather have had children than anything in the world. They're about the
best there is in life; I agree with you, Austin."
His sister, watching him askance, was relieved to see his troubled face
become serene, though she divined the effort.
"Kids are the best," he repeated, smiling at her. "Failing them, for
second choice, I've taken to the laboratory. Some day I'll invent
something and astonish you, Nina."
"We'll fit you up a corking laboratory," began Austin cordially; "there
is--"
"You're very good; perhaps you'll all be civil enough to move out of the
house if I need more room for bottles and retorts--"
"Of _course_, Phil must have his laboratory," insisted Nina.
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