When Mother s back was turned we would mimic her. Oh, I hated that statement. They do have eyes and if you throw one hard enough it can hut almost as much as a rock. My brother, Martin, and I discovered this while fighting in the garden. I never asked.
Discretion is the better part of valor, especially when dealing with mothers.
Oh, I hated that saying because that was usually the final words in a discussion that we were having. I would go to her and ask for something or ask her permission to do something or go somewhere. If she said no I would try to reason with her. Let me tell you, labor unions and the management in this nation missed a great opportunity. If they had my mother for a negotiator they would win more concessions.