could see that, because you ain't got no whiskers. But what has
that got to do with it?"

"Well, I don't see why I should tell you all this, Punch, for it's all
about law."

"But I want to know," said the boy, "because it's all about you."

"Well, it's like this: my father left my uncle to be executor and my
trustee."

"Oh, I say, whatcher talking about? You said your father was a good un,
didn't you?"

"I did."

"Well, then, he couldn't have left your uncle to be your executioner
when you hadn't done nothing."

"Executor, Punch," said the lad, laughing.

"Well, that's what I said, didn't I?"

"No; that's a very different thing. An executor is one who executes."

"Well, I know that. Hangs people who ain't soldiers, and shoots them as
is. Court-martial, you know."

"Punch, you are getting in a muddle."

"Glad of it," said the boy, "for I thought it was, and I don't like to
hear you talk like that."

"Then let's put it right. An executor is one who executes the commands
of a person who is dead."

"Oh, I see," said the boy. "Dead without being executed."

"Look here, Punch," said Pen, laughing, "you had better be still and
listen, and I will try and make it plain to you. My uncle was my
father's executor, who had to see that the property he left was
rightfully distributed."

"Oh, I see," said Punch.

"And my father made him my trustee, to take charge of the money that was
to be mine when I became twenty-one."

"All right; go on. I am getting it now."

"Then he had to see to my education, and advise me till I grew up."

"Well, that was all right, only if I had been your old man, seeing what
a chap you are, I shouldn't have called in no uncle. I should have
said, `Young Penton Gray has got his head screwed on proper, and he will
do what's right.' I suppose, then, your uncle didn't."

"I thought not, Punch."

"Then, of course, he didn't. What did he do, then?"

"Made me leave school," said Pen.

"Oh, well, that don't sound very bad. Made you leave school? Well, I
never was at school but once, but I'd have given anything to be made to
come away."

"Ah, perhaps you would, Punch. But then there are schools and schools."

"Well, I know that," said the boy irritably; "but don't tease a fellow,
it makes me so wild now I'm all weak like."

"Well, then, let's say no more about it."

"What! Leave off telling of me?"

"Yes, while you are irritable."

"I ain't irritable; not a bit