He did not mean it." "Boys never do mean it," was the doctor's answer.

"I hoped better things of Harry." "He had no intention--" began Margaret, but she still was unfit to talk, and her father silenced her, by promising to go and hear the boy's own account.
In the hall, he was instantly beset by Ethel and Mary, the former exclaiming, "Papa, you are quite mistaken! It was very foolish of Margaret to be so frightened.

He did nothing at all to frighten any one." Ethel's mode of pleading was unfortunate; the "very foolish of Margaret" were the very words to displease.
"Do not interfere!" said her father sternly.

"You only encourage him in his wanton mischief, and no one takes any heed how he torments my poor Margaret." "Papa," cried Harry, passionately bursting open the study door, "tormenting Margaret was the last thing I would do!" "That is not the way to speak, Harry.

What have you been doing ?" With rapid agitated utterance, Harry made his confession.