I
roared--
"Go in, Toddie--this instant!"
The sound of my voice startled the young man so severely that he
lost his footing, fell, and began to roll toward the edge and to
scream, both operations being performed with great rapidity. I ran
to catch him as he fell, but the outer edge of the water-trough
was high enough to arrest his progress, though it had no effect in
reducing the volume of his howls.
"Toddie," I shouted, "lie perfectly still until uncle can get to
you. Do you hear?"
"Ess, but don't want to lie 'till," came in reply from the roof.
"'Tan't shee noffin' but sky an' rain."
"Lie still," I reiterated, "or I'll whip you dreadfully." Then I
dashed up-stairs, removed my shoes, climbed out and rescued
Toddie, shook him soundly, and then shook myself.
"I wazh only djust pyayin' mamma, an' walkin' in ze yain wif an
umbayalla," Toddie explained.
I threw him upon his bed and departed. It was plain that neither
logic, threats, nor the presence of danger could keep this
dreadful child from doing whatever he chose; what other means of
restraint could be employed? Although not as religious a man as my
good mother could wish, I really wondered whether prayer, as a
last resort, might not be effective. For his good, and my own
peace, I would cheerfully have read through the whole prayer-book.
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