"Yes, muz, that's so," said Will, "but do let me arrange with him! You say you wanted to deed that new marsh to Ted and me! Now I make a request of you. Don't talk business at all with Mr. Hand till I've had a talk with him myself. I promise you I'll consider your wishes in the matter!"
"Well, since you wish it so much, it shall be as you say!" said Mrs. Carter, rather unwillingly, at length.
"And also, muz," continued Will, removing the big, wet sponge from his eyes to make the more potent appeal; "if Mr. Hand should come to see me when I'm out, do promise to be nice to him!"
Mrs. Carter made no reply.
"Ted wishes it as much as I do, don't you, Ted?" added Will.
"You're just right," responded Ted, fervently. "So much depends on little things just now!"
Still Mrs. Carter kept silence. Mr. Hand was her most cordial detestation.
"And you know, muz," went on Will, coaxingly, "you can be so fetching when you want to be, and when you want to be otherwise, well" (and here Will chuckled). "I don't exactly wonder that old Hand doesn't love you much. But no one can smooth him down like you, if you only will. Do it, muz, just for us boys! All you'll have to do will be just smile on him, and talk about the weather!"
"O, you dreadful flatterer," laughed Mrs. Carter. "Do you think it's right to try and soft soap your mother this way? Well, I'll promise to be polite and nice to Mr. Hand if he should call! Will that do?"
"Thank you, muz!" said both the boys together.