This Philip said because he had decided that his stay should be a very brief one.
“Just as you say!” chuckled Mr. Tucker.
As he went downstairs he reflected:
“I can take the boy’s money and charge his board to the town, too. There’s nothin’ to hender, and it’ll be so much more in my pocket. I wish the rest of the paupers would foller his example.”
He went downstairs and explained to Mrs. Tucker that he wanted Philip’s supper.
“Tell him to come down to the table like the rest of the folks!” retorted Mrs. Tucker. “He ain’t too lazy, is he?”
“No; but it’s safer to keep him in his room for the first twenty-four hours. He’s a desperate boy, but I reckon he’ll get tamed after a while.”
“I’ll desperate him!” said Mrs. Tucker scornfully. “I don’t believe in humorin’ him.”
“Nor I, Abigail. He’d like to come down, but I won’t let him. We can manage him between us.”
“I should smile if we couldn’t,” said Mrs. Tucker. “If you want any supper for him, you can get it yourself. I’ve got too much to do. No, Widder Jones, you can’t have another cup of tea, and you needn’t beg for it. One cup’s plenty for you, and it’s all we can afford.”