“Then, Mr. Winter, I have one thing to say. Ben is not a bad boy, but he has spirit, and if you undertake to drive him he will be sure to rebel.”
“You needn’t worry about that, Mrs. W. He ain’t nothing but a boy, and if I can’t manage him I’ll give up.”
“He may be nothing but a boy, but he has his rights. You must bear in mind your promise to me before we married.”
“What promise do you refer to, Mrs. W.?”
“That he should have an education.”
“Well, ain’t he been to school ever since, and now he’s gradooated.”
“At the grammar school. He is now ready for the high school.”
“He ain’t a-goin’ to the high school.”
“Do you mean that, Mr. Winter?” said his wife with an angry flush upon her cheek.
“Certainly I do. He’s got to work on the farm. He knows all he need to. He’s as well eddicated as I am.”