[XVII]
THE FIGHT AT STRAWBERRY HILL
"Now, then," exclaimed Mr. Tisbett, when dinner was over, and the little Peppers declared they couldn't eat any more, "I'm a-goin' to set out on th' porch a minute or two. I allers let Bill an' Jerry rest a full hour," pulling out the big silver watch again.
"When I'm a man," cried Joel, leaning back in his chair, wishing he could eat some more raspberry shortcake, "I'm goin' to have a watch just like yours, Mr. Tisbett."
"I thought you were going to have horses just like Bill an' Jerry," said Mr. Tisbett, in surprise.
"Oh, I am!" cried Joel, in alarm at being misunderstood; "exactly like Bill and Jerry."
"You ain't goin' to have horses an' a watch!" cried the stage-driver, keeping very sober. "You must choose between the two."
"Then I'll take the horses," decided Joel, quickly.
"You've got two, Mr. Tisbett," observed David, quietly.
"Eh? Oh, so I have!" cried Mr. Tisbett. "Well, p'r'aps we'll let Joe have 'em both, then; that is, if he's a good boy. Well, can't either on you eat any more? What a pity, an' Mrs. Green has such good things."