Mother and son had a sort of tacit compact by which they stood by each other, and made common cause against Colonel Preston.
"Don't you know the boy?
Doesn't he live in the neighborhood ?" asked Mrs.Preston, after a pause.
"He's just come into the town, but I'll tell you who he is.

He's the son of that woman that comes to work for you once a week." "Mrs.Burke ?" "Yes; he told me that his name was Andy Burke." "He ought to know his place too well to be impudent to one in your position." "So I think." "I shall speak to Mrs.Burke about her son's bad behavior." "I wish you'd discharge her.

That's a good way to punish the boy." "I shouldn't object to doing that, Godfrey, but Mrs.Burke is a capital hand at ironing shirts.

Yours and your father's never looked so nice as they have since she has been here." Godfrey looked a little discontented.

Being essentially mean, he thought it would be an excellent plan to strike the son through the mother.
"You might threaten her, mother, a little.