Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/171
been Americanized to a rather painful extent. “When do you grab the guilty party, and what’s his name?”
Charlie again looked at him, and sighed. These children were his link with the future—what sort of future, he often wondered.
“As I have frequent reason to point out, your language is sadly lacking in dignity,” he reproved. “I have not yet apprehended the wrong-doer, and as a consequence, I do not know his name.”
“But you will, won’t you, Dad”? Rose put in. “You're not going to fall down on it, are you?”
“When have I ever so much as stumbled?” he wanted to know.
She was smiling at him mischievously. “Now, Dad——”
“When I was youthful,” Chan broke in hastily, “it was regarded deadly sin to question all-pervading wisdom of father. He was honored and respected by children. Such a hint of failure as you have just offered would have been impossible.”
She got up and came round to him, still smiling. “Times have changed. You're not going to fail, of course. We all know that. But this is one case your family is really interested in. So move fast, won’t you? Don’t take too much time out for Oriental meditation.”
“Should I pause to think deeply,” he replied, “I would be plenty lonesome man in this new world.”
Rose kissed him and went out on her way to the bank where she was employed during the summer vacation. Henry stood up languidly.
“Will you be wanting the car to-night, Dad?” he inquired.