But Kitty understood , and her heart melted as she hugged her mother and said in her own caressing way -- ` Poor little mamma ! did she have a hard time ? and did n't she like being a good girl and minding her parents ? ' Mamma laughed also , and held Kitty close , but all she said was -- ` Good-night , dear ; do n't be troubled : it will be all right to-morrow . ' ' I hope so , ' and with a hearty kiss , Kitty went thoughtfully downstairs to meet several little friends whom she had asked to spend the evening with her . As the ladies left the room , papa leaned back and prepared to smoke a cigar , feeling that he needed the comfort of it after this trying day . But Harry was down upon him at once . ' A very bad habit -- ca n't allow it . Throw that dirty thing away , and go and get your Latin lesson for to-morrow . The study is quiet , and we want this room . ' ` But I am tired . I ca n't study at night . Let me off till to-morrow , please , sir ! ' begged papa , who had not looked at Latin since he left school . ` Not a word , sir ! I shall listen to no excuses , and shall not let you neglect your education on any account , ' and Harry slapped the table à la papa in the most impressive manner . Mr. Fairbairn went away into the dull study and made believe do his lesson , but he really smoked and meditated . The young folks had a grand revel , and kept it up till ten o'clock , while mamma lay awake , longing to go down and see what they were about , and papa shortly fell asleep , quite exhausted by the society of a Latin Grammar . ` Idle boy , is this the way you study ? ' said Harry , audaciously tweaking him by the ear .
` No , it 's the way you do ; ' and feeling that his XXXXX of bondage was over , papa cast off his allegiance , tucked a child under each arm , and marched upstairs with them , kicking and screaming .
Fairbairn Harry Kitty Latin day evening left o'clock right tweaking