"I suppose so," replied Johnny briefly, as if it was not a very pleasant topic.
"What a funny boy he is!" said Belle. "I never saw him but once, and only for a few minutes; but he seemed to be ready for any kind of mischief."
"Yes," replied Johnny: "he's as fond of noise and mischief as oxygen is of carbon and hydrogen; but I guess he won't stay very long."
This latter reflection seemed to console Johnny, for he began to look tolerably cheerful again.
"Shall we go and make hydrogen gas now?" said he.
But at that moment, Sue came running back, exclaiming,—
"Some folks in a carriage are having an accident right out by our front-door!"
"What kind of an accident?" inquired Johnny.
"Is it a runaway?" inquired Belle.
"No, it isn't a runaway, for they can't get the wagon to move: at any rate, I heard a man say the wheel wouldn't turn around."