he is, or where he came from; he is so much plastic clay, and you
can make of him what you please."

"You can't make him a gentleman," said Sir James.

"I beg your pardon."

"And I beg yours. If the boy has not got breed in him--gentle blood--
you can never make him a gentleman."

"I beg your pardon," said the doctor again. "I maintain, sir, that it
is all a matter of education or training, and that you could make a
gentleman's son a labourer, or a labourer's son a gentleman."

"And are you going to put that in your book, doctor?"

"Yes, sir, I am: for it is a fact. I'm sure I'm right."

Sir James laughed.

"And I'm sure you are wrong. Look at my boy, now. You can see in an
instant that he has breed in him; but if you look at my coachman's son,
you will see that he has no breeding at all."

_Crork, crork, crork, crork_.

"Oh!" from her ladyship, in quite a scream.

"Good gracious!" cried Sir James; and the doctor and Helen Grayson both
started to their feet, while Master Edgar Danby kept on making the most
unearthly noises, kicking, gasping, turning black in the face, and
rolling his eyes, which threatened to start from their sockets.

"What is it?" cried Sir James.

Crash went a glass. A dessert-plate was knocked off the table, and
Master Edgar kept on uttering his hoarse guttural sound of _crork,
crork, crork_!

He was choking, and the result might have been serious as he sat
struggling there, with papa on one side, and mamma on the other, holding
his hands, had not Dr Grayson come behind him, and given him a
tremendous slap on the back which had a beneficial effect, for he ceased
making the peculiar noise, and began to wipe his eyes.

"What was it, dear? what was it, my darling?" sobbed Lady Danby.

"A great piece of pine-apple stuck in his throat," said the doctor. "I
say, youngster, you should use your teeth."

"Edgar, drink some water," said Sir James sternly.

Master Edgar caught up his wine-glass, and drained it.

"Now, sir, leave the room!" said Sir James.

"Oh, don't, don't be harsh with him, James," said her ladyship
pathetically. "The poor boy has suffered enough."

"I say he shall leave the room," cried Sir James in a towering fury; and
Master Edgar uttered a howl.

"Really, James, I--"

Here her ladyship had an hysterical fit, and had to be attended to, what
time Master Edgar howled loudly till the butler had been summoned and he
was led off like a prisoner, while her l