is often a great deal of affection on both sides, but little camaraderie.The difficulty is that one acquires habits and mannerisms ; one is crusty and gruff if interfered with.Little boys are odd, tiresome creatures in many ways, with savage instincts; and I suppose many fathers feel that, if they are to maintain their authority, they must be a little dis- tant and inscrutable.All that is wanted is to be accessible and quietly genial.But, as Pater said, acquirin habits is failure in life.Of course, one must realise limitations, and learn in what regions one canA boy goes for sympathy and companionship to his mother and sisters, not often to his father.