Bracebridge Hemyng 
The fool of the family [EPUB ebook] 

’Mother!’ exclaimed Mr. Smithers, as he came into the parlor about supper time one winter evening, ’that boy’s a fool.’

Mrs. Smithers, who was a quiet-looking, blond little woman, about thirty-five years of age, looked up from a book she was reading, and regarded her husband with a weary air.

’What boy?’ she asked, languidly.

’As if you didn’t know?’ replied Mr. Smithers.

’We have two, ’ she said, calmly.

’Oh, that boy, Tommy.’

’What has he done now?’

’Done! why he is always doing something absurd. I told him this morning, before I went out, to cut up all the wood in the yard.’