There was a sudden lull in the uproar when Mr.
Minturn opened the door.
"Are the walls left ?" he asked, coming forward.
"The _walls_ ?" said Ellis inquiringly; "why, sir, did you expect to miss them ?" "Well, I had some such fears, but I see they're all right.

What are you up to ?" "Ellis was telling a story, that's what we were laughing at when you came in," said Howard.

"Go on, El--never mind father, he likes to hear stories." "No," said Ellis, blushing crimson; "I think I'll be excused." "Go ahead," said Mr.Minturn; "I'm very fond of stories." "I was only telling, sir, how Joe Barnes talked to his father when I was down there this morning." "Yes, and, father, you'd be perfectly astonished to hear him," chimed in Howard.

"I never heard a fellow go on so in my life; he makes fun of every single thing his father says." "Do you think there is anything very surprising in that ?" asked Mr.
Minturn coolly.
"Surprising! I guess you'd think so.

Why, when his father is talking to him real soberly, he mimics him, and laughs right in his face." "But I shouldn't suppose you would think there was anything strange about that." The boys looked puzzled.