“I should respect you more if you were,” said Philip.
“Are you goin’ to let him talk to me like that!” asked Zeke, appealing to his father.
“No, I ain’t,” said Mr. Tucker angrily. “You’ve committed an assault and battery on my son, you rascal, and you’ll find there ain’t no fun in it for you. I could have you arrested and put in jail, couldn’t I, squire?”
“Ahem! Well, you could have him fined; but, as he is to be under your care, Mr. Tucker, you will have a chance of making him conduct himself properly.”
“What do you mean by that, Squire Pope?” asked Philip quickly.
“Young man, I do not choose to be catechized,” said Squire Pope, in a dignified manner; “but I have no objections to tell you that I have made arrangements with Mr. Tucker to take you into the poorhouse.”
“I’ve heard that before, but I couldn’t believe it,” said Philip proudly.
“I guess you’ll have to believe it pretty soon, he, he!” laughed Zeke, with a grin which indicated his high delight. “I guess dad’ll make you stand round when he gits you into the poor-house.”
“Don’t you consider me capable of earning my own living, Squire Pope?” asked Philip.
“Ahem! Yes, you will be one of these days. You won’t have to stay in the almshouse all your life.”