"Then you share the lecture, that's all," returned King firmly, resuming his seat. "Here's my text: 'No one should ever talk about a child before him--or her.'" "Harriet has only one, please remember, Bertram," protested Linda kindly. Mrs. Radcliffe set down her teacup, and color began to come up in her cheeks as she regarded King. "Bertram, I never--" she began, for he paused. "It's the rarest thing! But here where we're all Harry's own people"--a little rigidity crept into the speaker's voice--"I didn't mean to bore anybody. Don't you"--with defiance--"don't you think that was very witty for a child of his age, that about the caterpillar? I keep his sayings in a book, and he's really a remarkable baby. It isn't at all because he's ours, is it, Henry? Oh"--with sudden impatience--"it's foolish of me to talk to you about it, Bertram. What do you know about children!" "I've been one; and I see one occasionally; and I marvel to Heaven to see how parents cut themselves out of half the fun they might have with them. You don't seem to have grasped my text. People shouldn't talk _about_ children _before_ them." "Of course, I wouldn't _scold_ a child before others," said Harriet, with some excitement. "Now, Bertram, you know a lot about bonds that I don't, but I know a lot about children that you don't. I'm not just an animal mother. I've looked into pedagogy and kindergarten principles. Harry can work beautifully in cardboard already; but, of course, if it bores you to hear about him--" "Yes," interrupted King, "parents should also take into consideration that the general public doesn't care a copper to hear anything about their children; but I'm not the general public where Harry is concerned. I'll guarantee to sit between you and Henry and listen to an antiphonal recital of everything Harry has said and done since he was born, and not yawn once--with one provision." Harriet flashed him a look. "I don't care to hear your provision. You'll not be called to the martyrdom." "And the provision is," went on Bertram equably, "that Harry shall not be present. Now, Henry, if you will kindly place your hand over Harriet's mouth, I will proceed." Linda stirred. There was something about Bertram King's arrogation of superiority that always exasperated her. "How about my placing my hand kindly over _your_ mouth?" she suggested. He turned and looked directly at her. "I should enjoy that very much," he returned. Linda was disconcerted for only a moment, then her provoking smile shone. "Wonderful facilities for biting me, I suppose," she remarked.