"The-e ladder?" echoed Father Letheby.
"Yes, your reverence," echoed Jem confidentially, "the laddher to get up on the roof, you know."
"But I understood you to say that you were getting through with this little job."
"Oh, of course, your reverence, we're getting through the preliminaries; but I must get on the roof, you know."
"I presume so," said Father Letheby, a little nettled, "and why don't you go there?"
"Does your reverence take me for an aigle, and want me to fly?"
"Well, not exactly," said Father Letheby, with a slight touch of flattery and sarcasm, "I am more disposed to take you for a nightingale!"
"Well, then, your reverence," said Jem, melting under the happy allusion, "a gintleman of your grate expayrince in building should know that, of all things else, a laddher is the wan thing necessary."
"Then you expect me to construct a ladder for your convenience?"
"Oh, not at all, your reverence; but if you gave me a little note up to the 'Great House,' I'd have it down while you'd be saying 'trapsticks.'"