"This book," said Bonaparte, "is not a fit and proper study for a young and
immature mind."
Tant Sannie did not understand a word, and said:
"What?"
"This book," said Bonaparte, bringing down his finger with energy on the
cover, "this book is sleg, sleg, Davel, Davel!"
Tant Sannie perceived from the gravity of his countenance that it was no
laughing matter. From the words "sleg" and "Davel" she understood that the
book was evil, and had some connection with the prince who pulls the wires
of evil over the whole earth.
"Where did you get this book?" she asked, turning her twinkling little eyes
on Waldo. "I wish that my legs may be as thin as an Englishman's if it
isn't one of your father's. He had more sins than all the Kaffers in
Kafferland, for all that he pretended to be so good all those years, and to
live without a wife because he was thinking of the one that was dead! As
though ten dead wives could make up for one fat one with arms and legs!"
cried Tant Sannie, snorting.
"It was not my father's book," said the boy savagely. "I got it from your
loft."
"My loft! my book! How dare you?" cried Tant Sannie.
"It was Em's father's. She gave it me," he muttered more sullenly.
"Give it here. What is the name of it? What is it about?" she asked,
putting her finger upon the title.
Pages:
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135