very distant
‘With his children he was affectionate, but, like an old-school father,
very distant. He never struck one of us in his life–a glance being
sufficient to enforce obedience, or subdue the wildest spirits. He was
always as particular about the etiquette of the table as though we were
served by footmen in livery; and in our poorest days, when cups and
saucers were scant and spoons still more so, we were obliged to observe
the utmost decorum till we were helped; and any laughing or chatter
among the younger ones was immediately quelled by the emphatic descent
of father”s fork upon the coverless table, with the words, “Children,
silence!”

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