“That’s the way he talks, is it?” said Teddy scornfully. “I’ve seen him do as much as that a good many times.”
“Oh! but he did talk, now truly.—We didn’t cheat; did we, Posy?—Talk again, Beppo. Say, ‘Your papa w’ipped me,’ and I’ll give you some cream.”
Beppo rolled his soft brown eyes as if trying to speak, but not a sound passed his lips.
“Say one word; say ‘Teddy,’ and I’ll give you some chicken.”
No answer.
“Well, say some other word. I don’t care what word.”
Still Beppo was speechless.
“Poh! I can’t stop any longer for this: it’s too foolish,” said Teddy.
“Oh! just a minute, Teddy. He did talk before you came in. I’ll leave it to Nunky.—Didn’t Beppo talk?”