"It shall be as you say, my lord," she answered. "But are you
expecting to take Theo to the factory every moment of every day?"
"I don't know," was the grim reply. "That will all depend on how
rapidly he learns the business."
There was a general laugh.
"How long has it taken you to learn it, Mr. Croyden?" questioned Theo
mischievously.
"Me? Oh, about thirty years."
"Then at that rate I see I shall not get to Lake George this season,"
returned the boy with a smile.
"Oh, I'll be easy with you this first time," Mr. Croyden answered. "I
cannot afford to kill you or get you frightened, or you never will
come again."
"I guess you needn't worry about my not coming again," Theo
retorted. "I have had far too good a time."
"I am glad of that," the elder man asserted heartily.
"And I, too, Theo," murmured Mrs. Croyden. "Do not forget that you
have given us far more pleasure than you could possibly have received.
Mr. Croyden and I are often very lonely for a son like you. It has
been a boon to have you here. That is why you must not let this
ambitious husband of mine tire you all out by setting you too
strenuously at porcelain-making," she added playfully.
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