Asahel has been giving me a detail at length of all the concerns of the farm.

I think he'll make an excellent corresponding secretary by and by." "I was only telling papa what Governor had been doing," said Asahel.
"You were afraid he would be forgotten.

There, my dear, I would let the little cat go back to its mother." "No papa, -- Asahel wanted you should know that _Governor_ didn't forget." "Did you ever hear of the time, Asahel," said his elder brother, "that a cat was sold by the length of her tail ?" "By the length of her tail!" said Asahel unbelievingly.
"Yes -- for as much wheat as would cover the tip of her tail when she was held so -- " And suiting the action to the word, Rufus suspended the kitten with its nose to the floor and the point of its tail at the utmost height it could reach above that level.

Winifred screamed; Asahel sprang; Rufus laughed and held fast.
"It's a shame!" said Winifred.
"You have no right to do it!" said Asahel.

"It _isn't_ the law, if it was the law; and it was a very cruel law!" But Rufus only laughed; and there seemed some danger of a break in that kindliness of feeling which their father had vaunted, till Mrs.Landholm spoke.