2. The two parcels were exactly alike, both of them well tied up with good
whipcord. Ben took his parcel to the table, and began to examine the knot,
and then to untie it.

3. John took the other parcel, and tried first at one corner, and then at
the other, to pull off the string. But the cord had been too well secured,
and he only drew the knots tighter.

4. John. I wish these people would not tie up their parcels so tightly, as
if they were never to be undone. Why, Ben, how did you get yours undone?
What is in your parcel? I wonder what is in mine! I wish I could get the
string off. I will cut it.

5. Ben. Oh, no, do not cut it, John! Look, what a nice cord this is, and
yours is the same. It is a pity to cut it.

6. John. Pooh! what signifies a bit of pack thread?

7. Ben. It is whipcord.

8. John. Well, whipcord then! what signifies a bit of whipcord? You can
get a piece of whipcord twice as long as that for three cents; and who
cares for three cents? Not I, for one. So, here it goes.

9. So he took out his knife, and cut it in several places.

10. Mr. Jones. Well, my boys, have you undone the parcels for me?

11. John. Yes, sir; here is the parcel.