"I'll tool him along at a great pace, if he will onlygo. Geography and arithmetic shall be my share,and you may have the writing and spelling; it givesme the fidgets to set copies', and hear children makea mess of words. Shall I get the books when I buythe other things? Can I go this afternoon?""Yes, here is the list; Bab gave it to me. You cango if you will come home early and have your toothfilled."Gloom fell at once upon Thorny's beaming face, andhe gave such a shrill whistle that his sister jumped inher chair, as she added, persuasively, --"It won't hurt a bit, now, and the longer youleave it the worse it will be. Dr. Mann is ready atany time; and, once over, you will be at peace formonths. Come, my hero, give your orders, and takeone of the girls to support you in the trying hour.