"Have you guessed that?"
"Very likely, very likely, my son; now the next:"
"Take all that the senses attest
Add the sign of the beast for the rest,
And my glorious whole stands confessed."
"And now another," said Uncle Titus, nodding.
"And now I have a very long one, and rather harder," said the lad:
"A thrill through all the nations ran,
When he, my whole, the grand old man,
Spoke words that e'en my second turn
My first, with hopes that glow and burn.
But now are hearts to anger spurred;
Nations are sick with hope deferred,
Alas! small chance for Ireland we know!
My first my second at my whole we throw."
Rolf stopped, quite excited with the declamation of his favorite charade.
"Now we will begin to guess, my son," said Uncle Titus, with a pleased expression: "First, Bonaparte. Second, Matterhorn. Third, Gladstone."
"Every one right!" cried Rolf, exultantly. "This is splendid! I have always wanted to do this with my riddles; that is, find some one who could guess them all. Before this, I've always had a heap of unguessed riddles. Now they are all guessed, and I can begin again with a new set!" Rolf was full of satisfaction.
"I will make you a proposal, my son," said Uncle Titus, as he rose from his seat, and prepared to return to the cottage; "Come to me here every evening, and bring me the fresh set. Who knows but that I may have a few to give you in return?"