Pick up the board. Ken, my
lad, and let's try it again."
The boy hesitated. Then he looked around and saw Lawyer Watson, who
had stood motionless by the doorway, and with a cry that was half a
sob Kenneth threw himself into his old friend's arms and burst into a
flood of tears.
Uncle John struck a match, and lighted his pipe.
"A bargain's a bargain," he observed, composedly.
"He whipped me!" sobbed the boy. "He whipped me like a child."
"Your own fault," said Uncle John. "You wanted me to play a game with
you, and I agreed, providin' you behaved yourself. And you didn't.
Now, look here. Do you blame me any?"
"No," said the boy.
"No harm's done, is there?"
"No."
"Then stop blubberin', and introduce me to your friend," continued
Uncle John. "Name's Watson, ain't it."
"Silas Watson, sir, at your service," said the lawyer, smiling. "And
this must be John Merrick, who I understand has arrived at Elmhurst
during my absence."
"Exactly," said Uncle John, and the two men shook hands cordially.
"Glad to welcome you to Elmhurst, sir," continued the lawyer. "I've
known it ever since I was a boy, when it belonged to my dear friend
Thomas Bradley.
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