"It would be an honour to help you, Edith dear." He explains, "A discussion of his behaviour man-to-man will show him the error of his ways. His first duty is to you and your sister, before anything else." Tobias says, patting her hand, "He is wrong to be so selfish."
Tobias smiles at the compliment. Praising his dogs were very much like praising him. "Do you think so? Pliny, paw!" He says, and the dog offers a paw to be shaken, as if it were a human hand. "Smart creatures, dogs."
"I am not sure, Edith dear, but you know your brother best." He says, stroking the dogs again. "I am sure you would know the best way to teach him that you should be the focus of his attention, rather than himself."