While the old man sat and listened, and his eyes with pleasure glistened,
As he shouted 'Hallelujah! And hurray—for—Joe!'"
When Bo had finished, Horatio stood perfectly still for some moments in astonishment and admiration. Then he came up close to the little boy.
"Look here, Bo," he said, "if you'll teach me to play and sing that tune, we'll forget all about that sort o' personal supper I was planning on, and I'll take you home all in one piece. And anything you want to know I'll tell you, and anything I've got, except the fiddle, is yours. Furthermore, you can call me Ratio, too, see?
'Oh, ridy-diddy, diddy-diddy——'
how does it go? Give me a start, please."
Bo brightened up at once. He liked to teach things immensely, and especially to ask questions.
"Why, of course, Ratio," he said, condescendingly; "I shall be most happy. And I can make up poetry, too. Ready, now:—
"I am glad to be the teacher of this kind and gentle creature,
Who can play upon the fiddle in a——"
"Wait, Bo! wait till I catch up!" cried Horatio, excitedly. "Now!"