He has seen fit to become `Papa.' As such, strong in the
consciousness of his own perfection, he has acquired, gradually,
quasi-divine powers over his children. Himself invisible, we know that
he can always see them. Himself remote, we know that he is always with
them, and that always they feel his presence. He prevents them in all
their ways. The Mormon Eye is not more direly inevitable than he.
Whenever they offend in word or deed, he knows telepathically, and
fixes their punishment, long before they are arraigned at his
judgment-seat.
At this moment, as at all others, Mr. Thompson has his inevitable eye
on his children, and they know that it is on them. He is well enough
pleased with them at this moment. But alas! we feel that ere the sun
sets they will have incurred his wrath. Presently Lady Noble will have
finished her genial inspection, and have sailed back, under convoy of
the mother and the grown-up daughter, to the parlour, there to partake
of that special dish of tea which is even now being brewed for her.
When the children are left alone, their pent excitement will overflow
and wash them into disgrace. Belike, they will quarrel over the
nectarines. There will be bitter words, and a pinch, and a scratch,
and a blow, screams, a scrimmage.
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