Chapter 13

           "Come,Jack,"criedPeterkinonemorningaboutthreeweeksafterourreturnfromourlongexcursion,"let’sbejollytoday,anddosomethingvigorous.I’mquitetiredofhammeringandbammering,hewingandscrewing,cuttingandbuttingatthatlittleboatofours,thatseemsashardtobuildasNoah’sark.Letusgoonanexcursiontothemountain-top,orhaveahuntafterthewildducks,ormakeadashatthepigs.I’mquiteflat—flatasbadginger-beer—flatasapancake;infact,Iwantsomethingtorouseme—totossmeup,asitwere.Eh!whatdoyousaytoit?"

           "Well,"answeredJack,throwingdowntheaxewithwhichhewasjustabouttoproceedtowardstheboat,"ifthat’swhatyouwant,Iwouldrecommendyoutomakeanexcursiontothewaterspouts.Thelastonewehadtodowithtossedyouupaconsiderableheight;perhapsthenextwillsendyouhigher—whoknows?—ifyou’reatallreasonableormoderateinyourexpectations!"

           "Jack,mydearboy,"saidPeterkingravely,"youarereallybecomingtoofondofjesting.It’sathingIdon’tatallapproveof;andifyoudon’tgiveitup,Ifearthat,forourmutualgood,weshallhavetopart."

           "Well,then,Peterkin,"repliedJackwithasmile,"whatwouldyouhave?"

           "Have?"saidPeterkin."Iwouldhavenothing.Ididn’tsayIwantedtohave;IsaidthatIwantedtodo."