"Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful----" It is not known in what light Mr.Kinosling viewed the expression of Penrod's face.

Perhaps he mistook it for awe; perhaps he received no impression at all of its extraordinary quality.

He was a rather self-engrossed young man, just then engaged in a double occupation, for he not only talked, but supplied from his own consciousness a critical though favourable auditor as well, which of course kept him quite busy.
Besides, it is oftener than is expected the case that extremely peculiar expressions upon the countenances of boys are entirely overlooked, and suggest nothing to the minds of people staring straight at them.
Certainly Penrod's expression--which, to the perception of his family, was perfectly horrible--caused not the faintest perturbation in the breast of Mr.Kinosling.
Mr.Kinosling waived the chicken, and continued to talk.

"Yes, I think I may claim to understand boys," he said, smiling thoughtfully.

"One has been a boy one's self.