"
"No, I'm not," said Tim, shortly.
"What made you borrer this boy's fiddle, then?"
"I don't know anything about it," said Tim, in a fright.
"Some folks forgets easy," returned Dick. "I know a man what
went into Tiffany's and took up a watch to look at, and carried
it off, forgettin' to pay for it. That's what he told the judge
the next day, and the judge sent him to the island for a few
months to improve his memory. The air over to the island is very
good to improve the memory."
"You ought to know," said Tim, sullenly; "you've been there times
enough."
"Have I?" said Dick. "Maybe you saw me there. Was it the ninth
time you were there, or the tenth?"
"I never was there," said Tim.
"Maybe it was your twin brother." suggested Dick. "What made
you break my friend's fiddle? He wouldn't have minded it so
much, only it belonged to his grandfather, a noble count, who
made boots for a livin'."
"I don't believe he had a fiddle at all," said Tim.
"That's where your forgetfulness comes in," said Dick "Have you
forgot the lickin' I gave you last summer for stealin' my
blackin' box?"
"You didn't lick me," said Tim.
"Then I'll lick you harder next time," said Dick.
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