To The West

"I ain't afraid of him--cheating old knocktioneer! Thinks he's a right to knock everybody down 'cause he's got a licence."

"Go on with your work," I whispered, "or he'll come back."

"Let him; I don't care. I ain't afraid. It was all your fault for going out."

"And yours for being asleep."

"I can't help my head being heavy. Mother says it's because I've got so much brains. But I'll serve him out. I'll make all the mistakes I can, and he'll have to pay for them being corrected."

"What good will that do?"

"I dunno; but I'll serve him out. He shan't hit me. I say, what did you go out to buy?"

"Nothing. I went out to speak to that gentleman who came."

"What gentleman who came?"

"While you were asleep."

"There you go! You're as bad as old Knock-'em-down. Fellow's only got to