"Benjamin," said Squire Newcome, two days after the occurrence mentioned in the last chapter, "what made the dog howl so this morning? Was you a doing anything to him?"
"I gave him his breakfast," said Ben, innocently. "Perhaps he was hungry, and howling for that."
"I do not refer to that," said the Squire.
"He howled as if in pain or terror. I repeat; was you a doing anything to him?"
Ben shifted from one foot to the other, and looked out of the window.
"I desire a categorical answer," said Squire Newcome.
"Don't know what categorical means," said Ben, assuming a perplexed look.
"I desire you to answer me IMMEGIATELY," explained the Squire. "What was you a doing to Watch?"
"I was tying a tin-kettle to his tail," said Ben, a little reluctantly.
"And what was you a doing that for?" pursued the Squire.
"I wanted to see how he would look," said Ben, glancing demurely at his father, out of the corner of his eye.
"Did it ever occur to you that it must be disagreeable to Watch to have such an appendage to his tail?" queried the Squire.
"I don't know," said Ben.
"How should you like to have a tin pail suspended to your--ahem! your coat tail?"
"I haven't got any coat tail," said Ben, "I wear jackets. But I think I am old enough to wear coats. Can't I have one made, father?"
"Ahem!" said the Squire, blowing his nose, "we will speak of that at some future period."
"Fred Newell wears a coat, and he isn't any older than I am," persisted Ben, who was desirous of interrupting his father's inquiries.
"I apprehend that we are wandering from the question," said the Squire. "Would you like to be treated as you treated Watch?"
"No," said Ben, slowly, "I don't know as I should."
"Then take care not to repeat your conduct of this morning," said his father. "Stay a moment," as Ben was about to leave the room hastily. "I desire that you should go to the post-office and inquire for letters."
"Yes, sir."
Ben left the room and sauntered out in the direction of the post-office.
A chaise, driven by a stranger, stopped as it came up with him.
The driver looked towards Ben, and inquired, "Boy, is this the way to Sparta?"
Ben, who was walking leisurely along the path, whistling as he went, never turned his head.
"Are you deaf, boy?" said the driver, impatiently.
"I want to know if this is the road to Sparta?"
Ben turned round.
"Fine morning, sir," he said politely.
"I know that well enough without your telling me.
Will you tell me whether this is the road to Sparta?"
Ben put his hand to his ear, and seemed to listen attentively. Then he slowly shook his head, and said, "Would you be kind enough to speak a little louder, sir?"
"The boy is deaf, after all," said the driver to himself. "IS THIS THE ROAD TO SPARTA?"
"Yes, sir, this is Wrenville," said Ben, politely.
"Plague take it! he don't hear me yet. IS THIS THE ROAD TO SPARTA?"
"Just a little louder, if you please," said Ben, keeping his hand to his ear, and appearing anxious to hear.
"Deaf as a post!" muttered the driver. "I couldn't scream any louder, if I should try.
Go along."
"Poor man! I hope he hasn't injured his voice," thought Ben, his eyes dancing with fun.
"By gracious!" he continued a moment later, bursting into a laugh, "if he isn't going to ask the way of old Tom Haven. He's as deaf as I pretended to be."
The driver had reined up again, and inquired the way to Sparta.
"What did you say?" said the old man, putting his hand to his ear. "I'm rather hard of hearing."
The traveller repeated his question in a louder voice.
The old man shook his head.
"I guess you'd better ask that boy," he said, pointing to Ben, who by this time had nearly come up with the chaise.
"I have had enough of him," said the traveller, disgusted. "I believe you're all deaf in this town.
I'll get out of it as soon as possible."
He whipped up his horse, somewhat to the old man's surprise, and drove rapidly away.
I desire my young readers to understand that I am describing Ben as he was, and not as he ought to be. There is no doubt that he carried his love of fun too far. We will hope that as he grows older, he will grow wiser.
Ben pursued the remainder of his way to the Post-office without any further adventure.
Entering a small building appropriated to this purpose, he inquired for letters.
"There's nothing for your father to-day," said the post-master.
"Perhaps there's something for me,--Benjamin Newcome, Esq.," said Ben.
"Let me see," said the post-master, putting on his spectacles; "yes, I believe there is.
Post-marked at New York, too. I didn't know you had any correspondents there."
