It was not long before he had seen all there was to be seen in the house, and wanted to "do something." As for reading, that was usually too stupid for Horace. Grace kindly offered to play checkers with him; but she understood the game so much better than he did that she won at every trial.
This was more than he could bear with patience; and, whenever he saw that she was gaining upon him, he wanted to "turn it into a give-game."
"But that isn't fair, Horace."
"Well, ma, just you see how mean Grace is! There, she wants me to jump that man yonder, so she'll take two of mine, and go right in the king-row!"
"But, Horace," said Grace, gently, "what do I play for if I don't try to beat?"
"There, now," cried he, "chase my men up to the king-row, so I can't crown 'em, do!"
"Just what I'm doing," replied Grace, coolly.
"Well, I should think you'd better take 'em all, and be done with it! Before I'd be so mean as to set traps!"
"Look, Horace," said Grace; "you didn't jump when you ought to, and I'm going to huff your man. See, I blow it, just this way; old Mr. Knight calls it huffing."
"Huff away then! but you stole one of those kings. I'll bet you stole it off the board after I jumped it."