' The peddler loaded up and druv off. Then
old Bill went in and pulled Lizzie out from behind the pianner, and put up
the steps so Mrs. Tompkins could come down from the corn barn, and
fished Tommy out of the pig-sty, and threw a bucket of water over him,
and put up the ladder so George could git down from the haymow, and they
all got round poor old Jinnie and stood as hard as they could and
laughed." Here Professor Strout pushed back his chair and rose to his
feet. "That's how old Bill Tompkins got his beef."
There was a general laugh and a pushing back of chairs, and the whole
company arose and went in various directions to their afternoon work.
Professor Strout went into the front entry, for he always entered and
left the house by the front door. Quincy followed him, and closing the
door that led into the dining-room, said, "Mr. Strout, I would like to
see you in my room for half an hour on important business."
"I guess 'tain't as important as some business of my own I've got to
attend to this arternoon. I'm goin' over to the Centre to fix up my
accounts as tax collector with the town treasurer.
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