"No, I haven't. Upon my word and honor."
"That's next to swearing, John Robert Charles. How often have I told you these little things lead to confirmed bad habits."
John Robert Charles was silent.
"Well, you've done something. And if your father does once take you in hand——"
The boy trembled. This awful threat had been held over him for years. Nothing had come of it, so it couldn't as yet be compared to Mrs. Joe Gargery's "rampage."
Mr. Reed sat comfortably on the front stoop smoking and reading. The wind drove the smoke straight down the street, and not into the house. How it could get in with the windows shut down was a mystery, but it seemed to sometimes.
Charles brushed his hair and washed his hands.
"I must cut your hair. I ought to do it this very night, tired as I am. Now brush your clothes and go out to your father. I'll be thinking up what I want. Pepper is one thing. Go down to the old man's and get some horseradish. If there is anything else I'll come out and tell you."
Charles went reluctantly out to the front stoop.
"Hillo!" said his father cheerfully. "You through?"