Part 3 (2/2)
”If you wasn't afraid, you was confoundedly scared,” replied Paul, whose paradox was fully appreciated by his companion.
”Look here, Paul; are you going to tell the fellows that I was scared?”
demanded Thomas, rather in a beseeching than an intimidating tone.
”That will depend on circ.u.mstances.”
”What circ.u.mstances?”
”You may as well understand me first as last. You keep talking about my being afraid of my mother, and all that sort of stuff. I'm not afraid of her, and I don't like to be told that I am.”
”I won't say it again, then.”
”Fellows that live in gla.s.s houses mustn't throw stones.”
”Do you really think I was frightened, Paul?”
”I really think you was. Didn't you back out?”
”Not till the sail broke down.”
”I offered to fix that.”
”It's no use to risk a fellow's life for nothing.”
”That's the point exactly. Don't you say a word about my mother, and you may talk as big as you please about this sc.r.a.pe.”
”I'm not going to talk big about it. I shall give you all the credit you deserve.”
”Of course you will. The fellow that holds the bag can let the cat out when he chooses. I don't like to have my mother spoken of as you speak of your mother. She's my mother, and she has always been a good mother to me, and I would do anything in the world for her. There's only one thing about this sc.r.a.pe that I'm sorry for; and that is, that I didn't mind her. It makes me feel bad.”
”She won't say much to you; she will be so glad to have you safely home, that she won't feel like jawing you,” answered Thomas, in what he intended for words of consolation, but which were really heartless and offensive to the penitent.
”My mother don't jaw; it will make her feel bad that I didn't mind her; and that is ten times worse than a scolding or a whipping.--That man keeps shaking his hat to us. Who do you think it is?”
”It looks like Captain Littleton.”
”What can he want of me?” said Paul, anxiously.
”If it is Captain Littleton, it is more like he wants me.”
In a few moments more the boat darted into the cove, and the boys recognized Captain Littleton in the gentleman who had been beckoning to them.
”Come ash.o.r.e, Paul, as quick as you can!” shouted he, as he jumped into his chaise, and drove nearer to the point where the boat was to land.
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