“The constable would not be up so early, Andrew.”
“Besides,” said Mrs. Badger, “we shall be laughed at for not being able to take care of a single small-sized boy.”
“You know what he is capable of, Mrs. Badger. At least you did when you came flyin’ down the attic stairs into my arms!”
“Shut up, Mr. Badger,” said his wife, who was ashamed when she remembered her panic. “You’d better not say anything. He got you on the floor and pounded you—you a full-grown man!”
“I’d like to pound him!” said Badger, setting his teeth hard.
“It’s a pity if three of us can’t manage him without calling in a constable,” continued Mrs. Badger, who, on the whole, had more courage than her husband.
“What do you propose, wife?” asked Nathan.
“I propose that we all go up and seize him. He is probably asleep and can’t give any trouble. We can tie him hand and foot before he wakes up.”
“Capital!” said Mr. Badger, who was wonderfully assured by the thought that his young enemy might be asleep. “We’ll go right up.”
“He may be awake!” suggested Andrew Jackson.