"DIDN'T I, DAN ?"
"Jimmy, have you watered my horse this Yes^ uncle, I watered him ; didn't I, p an r'he added, turning to his younger broker. .. , „ , , n « Of course you did,' responded Dan. The gentleman looked at the boys a moment wondering a little at Jimmy's words ; then he rode away. This was Mr Hartly's first visit with his rephews, and thus far he had been pleased with their bright, intelligent faces and kind behaviour. Still there was something in Jitnmv's appeal to his brother that impressed him unfavourably, he could hardly tell why; but the cloud of disfavour had vanished from bis mind when, two hours later, he turned his horse's head homeward. Justin the bend of the road he met his nephews, Jimmy bearing a gun over his shoulder. •' Did your father give you permission to carry that gun ?" he inquired. " Yes, sir," replied Jimmy ; " didn't he, j " Of course he did," said Dan. "And of course I believe you, Jimmy, without your brother's word for it," said Mr Jimmy's face flushed, and his bright eye fell below his uncle's gaze. Mr Hartly noiiced his nephew's confusion, and rode on without further comment. « This map of North America is finely executed ; did you draw it, Jimmy ? " asked Mr Hartly that afternoon, "while looking over a book of drawings. " Yes, sir," replied Jimmy with a look of conscious pride ; then turning to his brother, he added, "Didn't I, Dan?" MrHarfcly closed the book and laid it on the table. "Jimmy," he began, "what docs this mean / To every question I have asked you to-day you have appealed to Dan to confirm your reply. Cannot your own word be trusted l" , i , Jimmy's face turned scarlet, and he looked as if he would like to vanish from his uncle's sight- .... "Not always," he murmured, looking straight down at his boots. "My dear boy, I was afraid of this," said Mr Hartly, kindly. " The boy who always speaks the truth has no need to seek confirmation from another. Do you mean to go through life always having to say, ' Didn't I, Danr" L . .. 11 No, uncle ; lam going to try to speak the truth so that people will believe me as well as Dan," said Jimmy, impulsively. Mr Hartly spent the season with his nephews, and before he left he had the pleasure or hearing people say, "What's come over Jimmy Page ? He never says lately, "Didn't I, Danr" Mr Hartly thought it was because Jimmy was gaining confidence in himself. Do you, children ?— " Children's Friend."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18880210.2.138
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 35
Word Count
425"DIDN'T I, DAN ?" Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 35
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