Volume IV Part 8 (1/2)
”Yes, there is! Didn't ye hear 'em? They've been yellin' like fury.”
”It's nothin' but Atkins's brush.”
”That all?” And Taddy appeared very much disappointed. ”I thought there was goin' to be some fun. I wonder who was such a fool as to yell fire just for a darned old brush-heap!”
Ducklow did not inform him.
”I've got to drive over to town and get Reuben's trunk. You stand by the mare while I step in and brush my hat.”
Instead of applying himself at once to the restoration of his beaver, he hastened to the sitting-room, to see that the bonds were safe.
”Heavens and 'arth!” said Ducklow.
The chair, which had been carefully planted in the spot where they were concealed, had been removed. Three or four tacks had been taken out, and the carpet pushed from the wall. There was straw scattered about.
Evidently Taddy had been interrupted, in the midst of his ransacking, by the alarm of fire. Indeed, he was even now creeping into the house to see what notice Ducklow would take of these evidences of his mischief.
In great trepidation the farmer thrust in his hand here and there, and groped, until he found the envelope precisely where it had been placed the night before, with the tape tied around it, which his wife had put on to prevent its contents from slipping out and losing themselves.
Great was the joy of Ducklow. Great also was the wrath of him when he turned and discovered Taddy.
”Didn't I tell you to stand by the old mare?”
”She won't stir,” said Taddy, shrinking away again.
”Come here!” And Ducklow grasped him by the collar.
”What have you been doin'? Look at that!”
”'Twan't me!” beginning to whimper and ram his fists into his eyes.
”Don't tell me 'twan't you!” Ducklow shook him till his teeth chattered.
”What was you pullin' up the carpet for?”
”Lost a marble!” sniveled Taddy.
”Lost a marble! Ye didn't lose it under the carpet, did ye? Look at all that straw pulled out!” shaking him again.
”Didn't know but it might 'a' got under the carpet, marbles roll so,”
explained Taddy, as soon as he could get his breath.
”Wal, sir,”--Ducklow administered a resounding box on his ear,--”don't you do such a thing again, if you lose a million marbles!”
”Hain't got a million!” Taddy wept, rubbing his cheek. ”Hain't got but four! Won't ye buy me some to-day?”
”Go to that mare, and don't you leave her again till I come, or I'll _marble_ ye in a way you won't like.”
Understanding, by this somewhat equivocal form of expression, that flagellation was threatened, Taddy obeyed, still feeling his smarting and burning ear.
Ducklow was in trouble. What should he do with the bonds? The floor was no place for them after what had happened; and he remembered too well the experience of yesterday to think for a moment of carrying them about his person. With unreasonable impatience, his mind reverted to Mrs.