"What! John Peterkin? my son John?"
"The same," and Miss Jane bowed most significantly.
"Well, that's funny enuff; but I'll soon bring it outen him. He's a quiet lad; not much sperrit, and I guess he's hearn some 'cock and bull story' 'bout freedom and equality. All smart boys of his age is apt to feel that way, but he'll come outen it. It's all bekase he has hearn too many Fourth of July speeches; but I don't fear fur him, he is sure to come outen it. The very idee of my son's being an Aberlitionist is too funny."
"Funny is it, father, for your child to love mercy, and deal justly, even with the lowliest?" As he said this, young master stood in the doorway. He looked paler and even more spiritual than was his wont.
Mr. Peterkin sat for full five minutes, gazing at the boy; and, strange to say, made no reply, but strode away from the room.
Miss Jane and Tildy regarded each other with evident surprise. They had expected a violent outburst, and thus to see their father tamed and subdued by the word and glance of their boy-brother, astonished them not a little.
Miss Tildy turned toward young master, and said, in what was meant for a most caustic tone,
"You are an embryo Van Amburgh, thus to tame the lion's rage."
"But you, Tildy, are too vulpine to be fascinated even by the glance of Van Amburgh himself."
"Well, now, Johnny, you are getting impertinent as well as spicy."