I must ask to be excused!" With that, he went out crossly, stopping in the hall a moment before passing beyond hearing.

And, after lunch, Penrod sought in vain for his accordion; he even searched the library where his father sat reading, though, upon inquiry, Penrod explained that he was looking for a misplaced schoolbook.

He thought he ought to study a little every day, he said, even during vacation-time.

Much pleased, Mr.Schofield rose and joined the search, finding the missing work on mathematics with singular ease--which cost him precisely the price of the book the following September.
Penrod departed to study in the backyard.

There, after a cautious survey of the neighbourhood, he managed to dislodge the iron cover of the cistern, and dropped the arithmetic within.