t, wipe off your chin--an' go to hell!"

Such precocity is less unusual, even in children of the Rich, than most
grown people imagine. However, it was a new experience for the Reverend
Malloch Smith, and left him in a state of excitement. He at once wrote a
note to Georgie's mother, describing the crime according to his nephew's
testimony; and the note reached Mrs. Minafer before Georgie did. When he
got home she read it to him sorrowfully.

Dear Madam: Your son has caused a painful distress in my household. He
made an unprovoked attack upon a little nephew of mine who is visiting
in my household, insulted him by calling him vicious names and
falsehoods, stating that ladies of his family were in jail. He then
tried to make his pony kick him, and when the child, who is only eleven
years old, while your son is much older and stronger, endeavoured to
avoid his indignities and withdraw quietly, he pursued him into the
enclosure of my property and brutally assaulted him. When I appeared
upon this scene he deliberately called insulting words to me, concluding
with profanity, such as "go to hell," which was heard not only by myself
but by my wife and the lady who lives next door. I trust such a state of
undisciplined behaviour may be remedied for the sake of the reputation
for propriety, if nothing higher, of the family to which this unruly
child belongs.

Georgie had muttered various interruptions, and as she concluded the
reading he said: "He's an ole liar!"

"Georgie, you mustn't say 'liar.' Isn't this letter the truth?"

"Well," said Georgie, "how old am I?"

"Ten."

"Well, look how he says I'm older than a boy eleven years old."

"That's true," said Isabel. "He does. But isn't some of it true,
Georgie?"

Georgie felt himself to be in a difficulty here, and he was silent.

"Georgie, did you say what he says you did?"

"Which one?"

"Did you tell him to--to--Did you say, 'Go to hell?"

Georgie looked worried for a moment longer; then he brightened. "Listen
here, mamma; grandpa wouldn't wipe his shoe on that ole story-teller,
would he?"

"Georgie, you mustn't--"

"I mean: none of the Ambersons wouldn't have anything to do with him,
would they? He doesn't even know you, does he, mamma?"

"That hasn't anything to do with it."

"Yes, it has! I mean: none of the Amberson family go to see him, and
they never have him come in their house; they wouldn't ask him to, and
they prob'ly wouldn't even let him."