As for Joe and Fuz, it was all an old story to them; and, what was more, they had another first-rate joke on hand.
"There's the academy," said Joe: "that big white concern in the middle of the green, and with so short a steeple." "Steeple enough," said Ford.

"Are the rest churches ?" "Yes; and, if you don't go to church reg'lar, Old By'll be sure to hear of it." "Old By" was the irreverent nickname they had selected for Dr.Abiram Brandegee; and Fuz added,-- "Never mind him, boys.

He's a raspy old fellow; but he's such a little, old, withered wisp of a chap, you'll soon get used to him." Dab was bewildered enough, just then, to wonder how such a weak-minded, malicious old dwarf as had been painted to him, could have managed to get and keep so high a position in so remarkably beautiful a place as Grantley.

He said something about the village being so pretty; but Dick Lee had been staring eagerly in all directions, and replied with,-- "Jes' one little mite of a patch ob water! Is dar any fish to ketch ?" "Fish?
In that pond ?" said Fuz.

"Why, it's alive with 'em.