by Mark Twain
take any money for thosetwo thousand verses--no indeed you wouldn't. And now you wouldn't mindtelling me and this lady some of the things you've learned--no, I knowyou wouldn't--for we are proud of little boys that learn. Now, nodoubt you know the names of all the twelve disciples. Won't you tell usthe names of the first two that were appointed?"
Tom was tugging at a button-hole and looking sheepish. He blushed,now, and his eyes fell. Mr. Walters' heart sank within him. He said tohimself, it is not possible that the boy can answer the simplestquestion--why DID the Judge ask him? Yet he felt obliged to speak upand say:
"Answer the gentleman, Thomas--don't be afraid."
Tom still hung fire.
"Now I know you'll tell me," said the lady. "The names of the firsttwo disciples were--"
"DAVID AND GOLIAH!"
Let us draw the curtain of charity over the rest of the scene.
