"Are the walls left?" he asked, coming forward.
"The _walls_?" said Ellis inquiringly; "why, sir, did you expect to
miss them?"
"Well, I had some such fears, but I see they're all right. What are
you up to?"
"Ellis was telling a story, that's what we were laughing at when you
came in," said Howard. "Go on, El--never mind father, he likes to
hear stories."
"No," said Ellis, blushing crimson; "I think I'll be excused."
"Go ahead," said Mr. Minturn; "I'm very fond of stories."
"I was only telling, sir, how Joe Barnes talked to his father when I was
down there this morning."
"Yes, and, father, you'd be perfectly astonished to hear him," chimed in
Howard. "I never heard a fellow go on so in my life; he makes fun of
every single thing his father says."
"Do you think there is anything very surprising in that?" asked Mr.
Minturn coolly.
"Surprising! I guess you'd think so. Why, when his father is talking to
him real soberly, he mimics him, and laughs right in his face."
"But I shouldn't suppose you would think there was anything strange
about that.
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