iness
overcame him and he fell asleep.

In the meantime the three absent members of the family came home. First
Mrs. Badger and Andrew Jackson returned from their visit.

"Your father isn't home yet, Andrew," said his mother.

"I hope he will come soon, for I'm sleepy," said Andrew.

"Then you had better go to bed, my darling."

"No, I won't. I ain't goin' to lose seein' Bill's flogging. I hope
father'll lay it on well."

"No doubt the boy deserves it."

"What do you think he had the impudence to say to me, mother?" asked
Andrew.

"I shall not be surprised at any impudence from the young reprobate."

"He wanted me to beg his pardon for strikin' him with a whip, as he said
I did."

"Well, I never did!" ejaculated Mrs. Badger. "To think of my boy
apologizing to a low, hired boy like him!"

"Oh, he's gettin' awful airy, ma! Shouldn't wonder if he thought he was
my equal!"

"There's nothing but a flogging will subdue such a boy as that. I ain't
unmerciful, and if the boy showed a proper humility I wouldn't mind
doin' all I could for him and overlookin' his faults, but when he
insults my Andrew, I can't excuse him. But there's one thing I can't
understand: He didn't use to be so bold."

"I know what has changed him, ma."

"What is it, Andrew?"

"It's that Dick Schmidt. Dick treats him as if he was his equal, and
that makes him put on airs."

"Then Dick lowers himself--though, to be sure, I don't hold him to be
equal to you! The Badgers are a better family than the Schmidts, and so
are the Coneys, which was my name before I was married."

"I wonder whether Bill's asleep?" said Andrew.

"You might go to the foot of the stairs and listen," said his mother.

Andrew followed his mother's advice, and, opening the door at the foot
of the attic stairs, was astonished to hear the deep breathing which
issued from Bill's chamber.

"Ma," he said, "Bill is snoring like a house afire."

"Reckless boy! Does he make so light of the flogging which your father
has promised him?"

"I don't know. He's gettin' awful sassy lately. I do wish father would
come home."

"I think I hear him now," said Mrs. Badger, listening intently.

Her ears did not deceive her.

Soon the steps of the master of the house, as he considered himself,
were heard upon the doorstep, and Mr. Nathan Badger entered.

"I'm glad you've come, pa. Are you goin' to flog Bill now?"

"Yes, my son. Get me a stout stick from the woodshed."

Andre