"I say it was," replied James; and then all the brothers and sisters began to speak at once.
Judy. "Just like you, Tom."
Mary. "And see what a condition he is in."
William. "You know Hodge saw you, Tom, on the top of the shed."
Tom. "I am sure he did not."
Elizabeth. "What a dirty creature you are, Tom; and how you smell of the stable!"
Jane. "Mother! mother! I want some bread and honey, like Master Fairchild."
Dick. "I want a sop in the pan, mother—mayn't I have a sop?"
In the midst of all this noise and confusion, in walked Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Burke. The men in the yard had told them of what had happened; and it had been made plain to Mr. Burke that Tom had been at the bottom of the mischief.
Mr. Fairchild hastened in all anxiety to his poor boy; and was full of thankfulness to God for having saved him from the dreadful danger which had threatened him; and Mr. Burke began to speak to his son Tom with more severity than he often used. He even called for a cane, and said he would give it him soundly, and at that minute too; but Mrs. Burke stepped in and begged him off; and as she stood between him and his father he slunk away, and kept out of his sight as long as Henry and Mr. Fairchild stayed.