"In course we had; I only threw them in sort of promiscuous. Now I'll tell you what my idee is: Katharine is getting stronger every day, you know."
"Yes," said Paul; "she sat up in a chair this morning, and eat very little déjeuner—breakfast, I mean—and the man—that great big man that sits on the hearth always—said she was getting much strong, and the window is too near the ground—not safe."
"Did he say that?" inquired Tom, breathlessly.
"Yes; the man said that. Then madame—that is the old mother—she look frightened very much, and said, no take the poor sick child away too soon. Then the man said up-stairs was best—high from ground, very sure."
"That's bad," muttered Tom. "Ladders are scarce and heavy to lift."
"So," continued Paul, "they move my bed into another room, and take up many things for her, because the man thinks it sure."
"Well," cried Tom, coming out in force, "'what can't be cured must be endured,' as par says. There may be a ladder about Mrs. Allen's premises. To-morrow morning, when I come after you, we'll just take a survey there. About that cuffy friend of yourn, I want to have some talk with him. When there's ladders to be used, I'm afraid you and I couldn't come quite up to the scratch."
"But Jube, Jube he come right up to old scratch for us—very strong Jube—very brave, like lion."
"You're sartin that cuffy would do it; that he wouldn't slump through?"
"What, Jube? oh, yes, he do any thing I say; very good Jube, never slump."