not to interfere. More and more slowly he finished his breakfast,
then took his gun and went to the room that would be his, to load
and prepare. At last he came down and went out by another door,
evidently not wishing to encounter me. John junior met him, and the
boys were starting, when John senior drove into the yard and
shouted, "John junior, step here a moment."

The boy returned slowly, Merton following. "You ain't said nothin'
to me about goin' off with that gun," continued Mr. Jones, severely.

"Well, Merton's pa said he might go if he wanted to, and I had to go
along to show him."

"That first shot wasn't exactly straight, my young friend John. I
told Merton that it wasn't best to put pleasure before business, but
that he could go if he would. I wished to let him choose to do
right, instead of making him do right."

"Oho, that's how the land lays. Well, John junior, you can have your
choice, too. You may go right on with your gun, but you know the
length and weight of that strap at home. Now, will you help me? or
go after rabbits?"

The boy grinned pleasantly, and replied, "If you had said I couldn't
go, I wouldn't; but if it's choosin' between shootin' rabbits and a
strappin' afterward--come along, Merton."

"Well, go along then," chuckled his father; "you've made your
bargain square, and I'll keep my part of it."