“Ah, you may grin, my lad; but I’ve been a-watching of yer this morning,” said the man, fiercely. “You’ve been busy with that glass, prying and peering about, and I caught yer at it.”
Aleck laughed again.
“Oh! that’s what you think, is it?” he said.
“Yes, and it’s what I says; so be off home.”
“I shall do nothing of the kind, Eben,” said the boy, hotly. “I’ve a better right here than you have, and I shall come whenever I please. Spying, eh?”
“Ay, spying, youngster; and I won’t have it.”
“Then it’s all true, eh?” said the boy, mockingly.
“What’s true?” snarled the man.
“You know. What have you got hidden away among the caverns—Hollands gin or French brandy? Perhaps it’s silk or velvet. No, no; I know. But you can’t think that. How do you manage to land the great casks?”
“I dunno what you’re talking about, youngster—do you?”