"Flaxie, what did you open the cage for?"
But she replied, with an injured air,—
"You ought to not lemme open the cage,—such a little goorl as me."
And Bert laughed, but could not help remarking to Preston,—
"Sure enough, you're a smart boy to let that young one meddle round so much."
Then Preston had to answer,—
"Well, I didn't s'pose she could turn the button, and you know I didn't; and I wish you'd hush up."
Naturally, when Bert was told to "hush up," he only talked so much the more; and we all know that talking only makes matters worse.
"If that dog had bit old Brownie, I wouldn't have cared," said Bert, trying to be provoking; "but my white rabbit! I say it's a shame!"