Bergan laughed. "'Where there's a will there's a way.' What should you say to the chimney?"
"Nonsense! How did you get up there?"
"I really cannot answer that question as it stands. There is a mistake in the terms."
"You rascal! what do you mean?'"
"I did not 'get up;' I came down." And Bergan glanced at a great oak-bough, swinging full ten feet above his head.
The Major uttered a cry of admiration. "You are a Bergan, and no mistake!" he cried, emphasizing the statement with an oath. "You've got the real, old, brave Bergan stuff in you, Harry, and I'm proud of you, in spite of your tinkering. But that bough is now out of your reach; you cannot come down by that route."
"A new one will be more interesting. And the chimney has a most capacious throat; the builders must have contemplated the passage of other things than smoke."
"Harry! you'll break your neck! Don't you dare to come down till I send you a ladder! At the same time, I'll order the carpenter to finish up that job, if it must be done."
"He will be too late, uncle; I am just laying the last shingle."
"Speak lower, you scamp! lest the old portraits under your feet should hear you and blush."