Paul Prescott's Charge by Jr. Horatio Alger (best fiction novels to read TXT) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online ยซPaul Prescott's Charge by Jr. Horatio Alger (best fiction novels to read TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
The echo had not died away, when the door was pulled suddenly open, and a dipper full of hot suds was dashed into the face of the astonished Squire, accompanied with, โTake that, you young scamp!โ
โWhโwhat does all this mean?โ gasped Squire Newcome, nearly strangled with the suds, a part of which had found its way into his mouth.
โI beg your pardon, Squire Newcome,โ said the horrified Mrs. Mudge. โI didn't mean it.โ
โWhat did you mean, then?โ demanded Squire Newcome, sternly. โI think you addressed me,โahem!โas a scamp.โ
โOh, I didn't mean you,โ said Mrs. Mudge, almost out of her wits with perplexity.
โCome in, sir, and let me give you a towel. You've no idea how I've been tried this morning.โ
โI trust,โ said the Squire, in his stateliest tone, โyou will be able to give a satisfactory explanation of this, ahemโextraordinary proceeding.โ
While Mrs. Mudge was endeavoring to sooth the ruffled dignity of the aggrieved Squire, the โyoung scamp,โ who had caused all the mischief, made his escape through the fields.
โOh, wasn't it bully!โ he exclaimed. โI believe I shall die of laughing. I wish Paul had been here to see it. Mrs. Mudge has got herself into a scrape, now, I'm thinking.โ
Having attained a safe distance from the Poorhouse, Ben doubled himself up and rolled over and over upon the grass, convulsed with laughter.
โI'd give five dollars to see it all over again,โ he said to himself. โI never had such splendid fun in my life.โ
Presently the Squire emerged, his tall dicky looking decidedly limp and drooping, his face expressing annoyance and outraged dignity. Mrs. Mudge attended him to the door with an expression of anxious concern.
โI guess I'd better make tracks,โ said Ben to himself, โit won't do for the old gentleman to see me here, or he may smell a rat.โ
He accordingly scrambled over a stone wall and lay quietly hidden behind it till he judged it would be safe to make his appearance.
XVIII. MORE ABOUT BEN.
โBenjamin,โ said Squire Newcome, two days after the occurrence mentioned in the last chapter, โwhat made the dog howl so this morning? Was you a doing anything to him?โ
โI gave him his breakfast,โ said Ben, innocently. โPerhaps he was hungry, and howling for that.โ
โI do not refer to that,โ said the Squire. โHe howled as if in pain or terror. I repeat; was you a doing anything to him?โ
Ben shifted from one foot to the other, and looked out of the window.
โI desire a categorical answer,โ said Squire Newcome.
โDon't know what categorical means,โ said Ben, assuming a perplexed look.
โI desire you to answer me IMMEGIATELY,โ explained the Squire. โWhat was you a doing to Watch?โ
โI was tying a tin-kettle to his tail,โ said Ben, a little reluctantly.
โAnd what was you a doing that for?โ pursued the Squire.
โI wanted to see how he would look,โ said Ben, glancing demurely at his father, out of the corner of his eye.
โDid it ever occur to you that it must be disagreeable to Watch to have such an appendage to his tail?โ queried the Squire.
โI don't know,โ said Ben.
โHow should you like to have a tin pail suspended to yourโahem! your coat tail?โ
โI haven't got any coat tail,โ said Ben, โI wear jackets. But I think I am old enough to wear coats. Can't I have one made, father?โ
โAhem!โ said the Squire, blowing his nose, โwe will speak of that at some future period.โ
โFred Newell wears a coat, and he isn't any older than I am,โ persisted Ben, who was desirous of interrupting his father's inquiries.
โI apprehend that we are wandering from the question,โ said the Squire. โWould you like to be treated as you treated Watch?โ
โNo,โ said Ben, slowly, โI don't know as I should.โ
โThen take care not to repeat your conduct of this morning,โ said his father. โStay a moment,โ as Ben was about to leave the room hastily. โI desire that you should go to the post-office and inquire for letters.โ
โYes, sir.โ
Ben left the room and sauntered out in the direction of the post-office.
A chaise, driven by a stranger, stopped as it came up with him.
The driver looked towards Ben, and inquired, โBoy, is this the way to Sparta?โ
Ben, who was walking leisurely along the path, whistling as he went, never turned his head.
โAre you deaf, boy?โ said the driver, impatiently. โI want to know if this is the road to Sparta?โ
Ben turned round.
โFine morning, sir,โ he said politely.
โI know that well enough without your telling me. Will you tell me whether this is the road to Sparta?โ
Ben put his hand to his ear, and seemed to listen attentively. Then he slowly shook his head, and said, โWould you be kind enough to speak a little louder, sir?โ
โThe boy is deaf, after all,โ said the driver to himself. โIS THIS THE ROAD TO SPARTA?โ
โYes, sir, this is Wrenville,โ said Ben, politely.
โPlague take it! he don't hear me yet. IS THIS THE ROAD TO SPARTA?โ
โJust a little louder, if you please,โ said Ben, keeping his hand to his ear, and appearing anxious to hear.
โDeaf as a post!โ muttered the driver. โI couldn't scream any louder, if I should try. Go along.โ
โPoor man! I hope he hasn't injured his voice,โ thought Ben, his eyes dancing with fun. โBy gracious!โ he continued a moment later, bursting into a laugh, โif he isn't going to ask the way of old Tom Haven. He's as deaf as I pretended to be.โ
The driver had reined up again, and inquired the way to Sparta.
โWhat did you say?โ said the old man, putting his hand to his ear. โI'm rather hard of hearing.โ
The traveller repeated his question in a louder voice.
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