s father's inquiries.

"I apprehend that we are wandering from the question," said the Squire.
"Would you like to be treated as you treated Watch?"

"No," said Ben, slowly, "I don't know as I should."

"Then take care not to repeat your conduct of this morning," said his
father. "Stay a moment," as Ben was about to leave the room hastily. "I
desire that you should go to the post-office and inquire for letters."

"Yes, sir."

Ben left the room and sauntered out in the direction of the post-office.

A chaise, driven by a stranger, stopped as it came up with him.

The driver looked towards Ben, and inquired, "Boy, is this the way to
Sparta?"

Ben, who was walking leisurely along the path, whistling as he went,
never turned his head.

"Are you deaf, boy?" said the driver, impatiently. "I want to know if
this is the road to Sparta?"

Ben turned round.

"Fine morning, sir," he said politely.

"I know that well enough without your telling me. Will you tell me
whether this is the road to Sparta?"

Ben put his hand to his ear, and seemed to listen attentively. Then he
slowly shook his head, and said, "Would you be kind enough to speak a
little louder, sir?"

"The boy is deaf, after all," said the driver to himself. "IS THIS THE
ROAD TO SPARTA?"

"Yes, sir, this is Wrenville," said Ben, politely.

"Plague take it! he don't hear me yet. IS THIS THE ROAD TO SPARTA?"

"Just a little louder, if you please," said Ben, keeping his hand to his
ear, and appearing anxious to hear.

"Deaf as a post!" muttered the driver. "I couldn't scream any louder, if
I should try. Go along."

"Poor man! I hope he hasn't injured his voice," thought Ben, his eyes
dancing with fun. "By gracious!" he continued a moment later, bursting
into a laugh, "if he isn't going to ask the way of old Tom Haven. He's
as deaf as I pretended to be."

The driver had reined up again, and inquired the way to Sparta.

"What did you say?" said the old man, putting his hand to his ear. "I'm
rather hard of hearing."

The traveller repeated his question in a louder voice.

The old man shook his head.

"I guess you'd better ask that boy," he said, pointing to Ben, who by
this time had nearly come up with the chaise.

"I have had enough of him," said the traveller, disgusted. "I believe
you're all deaf in this town. I'll get out of it as soon as possible."

He whipped up his horse, somewhat to the old man's surprise, and drove
rapidly away.

I d