I carefully joined the torn edges and closed the book and put it on the table and ran and hid behind the barn.
By and by I saw Uncle Peabody coming down the lane with the cows, an ax on his shoulder.

I ran to meet him with a joy in my heart as great as any I have ever known.

He greeted me with a cheerful word and leaned over me and held me close against his legs and looked into my eyes and asked: "Are you willin' to kiss me ?" I kissed him and then he said: "If ye ever hear me talk like that ag'in, I'll let the stoutest man in Ballybeen hit me with his ax." I was not feeling well and went to bed right after supper.

As I was undressing I heard Aunt Deel exclaim: "My heavens! See what that boy has done to my Indian book--ayes! Ain't that awful!--ayes!" "Pretend ye ain't noticed it," said Uncle Peabody.

"He's had trouble enough for one day." A deep silence followed in which I knew that Aunt Deel was probably wiping tears from her eyes.