"I said Reuben said she warn't what Joe said," Phil got out at last in a lowered tone.
"And what was that?"
"Well—" said Phil desperately—"Joe said she was—"
Mr. Linden waited. So did Phil.
"This is the house that Jack built," Mr. Linden remarked. "What did Joe say she was?"
The answer came in articulation pretty well smothered up.
"Joe said she was Mr. Linden's sweetheart."
"O!—" said Mr. Linden, with a tone Phil felt to the tips of his ears,—"that was it! I really did not know, Phil, that you and Joe took an interest in such matters. Have you had much experience?"
Phil shuffled and looked exceedingly embarrassed, but words found none.
He had exhausted his stock, of more than words.
"Well!" said Mr. Linden,—"you will find, Phil, that it is generally safe to study arithmetic before you begin algebra. There's a little mistake here. Reuben did not drive anybody down to Neanticut—Mrs. Derrick drove the whole way. That explains his words. As for yours, Phil—I wish," said Mr. Linden, looking at him gravely, but gently too, "I wish I knew something you would like very much to have. Can you tell me?"