"How many do you suppose!" exclaimed Rob, derisively. "How many plagues of Egypt were there?"
"That's the question," replied Duncan. "I say there were three, and Don says there were seven. Which is it now?"
Owen sniffed. "You fellows had better join Dr. Norton's Bible class, and learn something."
He took down a Bible from his bookcase and fluttered the leaves to the chapters in Exodus in which the plagues are described. "The first was turning the river into blood, so that the fish died, the second frogs, the third lice, the fourth flies, the fifth—"
"Oh, ring off!" shouted the impatient Donald. "Don't harrow our feelings with all that. How many were there, can't you tell us? or don't you know yourself?"
"Ten," answered Rob, curtly, replacing the book.
The brothers stared at each other blankly, each seeking comfort and finding none.
"You don't really think Payner'd be mean enough to put all those on us, do you?" Duncan asked after an impressive period of silence.
"There's a whole menagerie to draw from, if he's cussed enough," growled Donald.