"'Go up-stairs and get my slippers.'
"John makes no answer, gets the slippers unwillingly, resumes his book, or whatever work he may be at, and then:
"'John! John Burt!'
"'Sir!'
"'What under the sun did you bring these old slipshods for? I wonder if you ever did an errand right in your life? I never saw such a boy. Take them up-stairs, and get the other pair. And be quick about it, too. I can't sit here in my stocking-feet all night.'
"Or put it thus:
"'John, my boy?'
"'Yes, papa!'
"'I wish you'd trot up-stairs for my slippers?'