“It is just what I told you, Phil,” said Chap. “You are in a regular cloud. But now that you have let me into the fog, we will go to work and scatter it like a hurricane. I tell you it is a regular rebellion that’s rising up here, and it’s got to be crushed out in the bud!”
“Nipped, you mean,” Philip suggested.
“Nipped, frozen, squashed! anything, so that we get our iron heel on it! I go in for throttling her, and holding her head under water until she blubbers!”
“Who? Susan?” asked Phil.
“Well, not exactly Susan,” said Chap, “but the whole spirit of rebellion. I’d begin with the housekeeper. She should be reduced to submission or crumbled into ashes. And as for Joel, if he cuts up rough when you want Jouncer again, as you say you think he may, I’d come down on him like a clap of thunder at the very first sign of mutiny. And the man who came here on a secret mission, I’d settle him. I’d ride into town and get his hat if he hasn’t called for it yet, and I’d put up a notice that he must come here, to this house, for his hat; and when he came I’d make him divulge his reasons for wearing such a hat, and tell where he got it; and he should never cross that threshold till he laid bare the object of his midnight visit.”
“It wasn’t midnight,” said Phil.
“Well, then, whatever time of night it was. And I’ll tell you another thing. I don’t altogether like the way Mr. Welford acted. From what you say, I don’t think he came up to the mark as lively as he should have done. I’d keep my eye on him, too.”
“You wouldn’t do anything to Mr. Hamlin who lives beyond the meadows, would you?” said Phil.
“Why, no!” exclaimed Chap, looking around in surprise. “What has he got to do with it?”
“Oh, nothing,” said Phil. “I only supposed you might think it mean to leave him out of the general vengeance. But I tell you, Chap, you’re too lofty and tremendous, with your thunder-claps and your iron heel. These people don’t need anything like that.”