New Beginnings: Life Changes

Ch. 4

Surprises

A/N: Rob's talk with Ethan was prompted by a review from wx4rmk. :-) Thank you to the guest who left a review for ch.3 saying I "bring a story alive." I appreciate that thought.

The older boys were sleeping soundly when George walks into their room. Going to Joseph, he shakes his brother's arm whispering "Joseph! Wake Up!" It takes three tries before he can get a response.

"MMPPFFF? What?" Joseph asks looking up through small slits.

"It's Ben. He's crying and I can't sleep. I tried asking him why he was upset and he won't say."

"George, I need sleep. I'm so tired. We have to get the house finished today/tomorrow... whatever time it is... and I need sleep to be of help."

"I need sleep too and I can't sleep with Ben upset. I'll just go get Claire. She's better at comforting than you anyway!"

"Noooo, don't wake her. I'm coming. Go on back and I'll be there as soon as I visit the W.C."

Entering his brother's room, he sees Ben curled into his pillow obviously trying to muffle his sobs.

"Ben, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare? Calm down, let's talk about it." Joseph says rubbing the boy's back.

Shaking his head 'no', Ben continues to cling to the pillow but his sobs are diminishing to hiccups.

"Come on, tell me all about it. You know you'll feel better once we talk it out. Is it your bottom? Are you hurting?"

"No, that stopped this afternoon. Joseph, Rob hates me and so does Uncle Matt."

"What?! Where did you ever get that idea? Why would Rob hate you or Uncle Matt either?"

"Rob was so mad at me for playing with the gun. He walloped me so hard I would have flew through the air if he hadn't of held my arm. My bottom was really burning and he was just using his hand. Then he let Uncle Matt whip me with the strop."

"Flown, not flew, and Rob was scared. You could have been hurt badly. After all the years of living here and constantly being reminded of what guns can do, you go and play with a gun. Uncle Matt was right to give you a whipping and you know it. Pa would have as well. Are you upset because you got the strop for the first time?"

"It hurt so much. Those two licks made my butt feel like I had just sat in a fire. Then on top of that, he used a belt for six more. Caleb got four with the strop for shooting the gun plus more with the belt. I swear, I didn't shoot it, Joseph."

"I believe you but it is the fact that you were playing with the gun in the first place. You know better! Rob doesn't hate you. As I told you, he was very scared. From what I heard, so was Uncle Matt. I sympathize with you for how your bottom feels but I can't say you didn't deserve what you got. As I told you, If Pa had been here, he would have done the same. I know that for a fact! Now, just put it out of your mind and let's go back to sleep. We have a lot of work to do today to finish up the house. Oh, and Ben, a few words of advice. Do whatever you're told to do today by whoever tells you to do it. Don't give Rob or Uncle Matt a reason to wallop you. They will be watching."

"I will. Joseph?"

"Hmmm?"

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, now go to sleep," Joseph says standing to leave the room.

"Wait, Joseph. Do you think I will be in big trouble with Papa? Rob will tell him what I did, I just know he will."

"We'll just have to wait to find out, Ben. I can't say what he will do. I sure wouldn't misbehave anymore though. You've done enough during the time they've been gone. Let's just try to make it a great homecoming for them, okay?"

"I'm worried though."

"I know. Go to sleep now. There's nothing we can do but wait. George will be here in just a minute. He's worried about you." Joseph says standing again after giving the boy a quick hug and tucking him in.

"I know. I'll tell him I'm better. G'night Joseph." Ben says sleepily.

The following evening, all five Cord children are standing in the yard gazing at the house.

"Well... it's done. What do you think?" Rob asks breaking the long silence.

"It's so different. I almost don't even recognize it." Claire says quietly.

"It's different but a good different, don't you think Claire? Our porch turned out well. With the railing all the way across and down the side, it now looks like one large porch instead of two. What do you like best, boys?" Joseph asks the two youngest.

"I like that new pantry. It's fun to pull it up from the cellar. I like the new table too. It's so much longer that we won't be all crowded like we were before. I used to have to try hard not to bump George with my elbow at the table."

"You didn't try all that hard, Ben. You bumped me lots of times. Joseph, I like the new windows. With the two windows here in the front, the house has eyes. It even has eyes on its top level too. The small windows in Rob and Claire's rooms."

"You have an artists mind, George," Claire answers as she hugs him to her side.

"I'm exhausted, let's get baths for church before we eat. Then after supper, I'm going to my nice new room and sleep." Rob says as the group walks up the new wide steps to the door.

"I'm with you on an early night. My arms are so sore from lifting and hammering, I shake when I hold a cup or fork." Joseph replies.

Rolling over and stretching, Rob realizes he's smelling bacon. Glancing at the window, he notices it's very light outside so he quickly pulls on clothes. Stopping to knock before opening Claire's door, he sees his sister still asleep. Closing the door and quietly descending the stairs into the kitchen, he finds not Joseph as he expected, but his youngest brothers.

"Well, this is a surprise. You boys are making breakfast?"

"Yes, we were careful and didn't cause any problems with the stove. I cooked the bacon and Ben made the toast."

"I browned a few too dark though. It's hard to know when to turn the long fork. I can't see the bread when it's in the stove so I just guess when to turn the fork. I guessed wrong sometimes."

"That's okay, we'll scrape those and eat them anyway. Has Joseph been up yet?"

"No, you're the only one up other than us. Do you want me to scramble eggs or do you want to make your sunny side up ones for you and Joseph? I don't know how to do them, yet."

"Just let me do the eggs while you two get the milk and set the table. Have you taken care of the horses or milked yet?"

"Ummm, no. We were working on breakfast. I'm sorry." Ben answers biting part of his bottom lip.

"I'll wake Joseph so we can go milk and check the horses. Then I'll do the eggs." Rob answers patting the boy on the back reassuringly.

Finished milking and having tossed fresh hay for the horses, Joseph and Rob return to the house. Quickly washing his hands in the sink, Rob cracks six eggs and begins to stir them in a bowl.

"We're running low on fresh eggs, we need to bring some up from the cellar later. When we are home from church, we need to clean stalls, the coop, and gather eggs. We also need kindling picked up and wood chopped. With all the work on the house, we've slacked off on the rest." Rob informs his brothers as he sets the bowl of scrambled eggs on the table. Returning to the stove, he puts the two sunny side up eggs on a plate taking it to the table just as Claire comes down the stairs.

"Once again, my brothers don't wake me to cook breakfast. Is there something wrong with the way I make breakfast? HMMM? Is THAT why you won't let me cook anymore?" Claire asks hands on hips and pretending to glare at the four boys.

"Well, now that you asked..." Joseph teases back, earning himself a swat to the arm. "ROOOBBB. Claire hit me!" The boy complains grinning at his sister.

"You deserved it, now let's eat. We're already running late. I checked the time and we have twenty minutes to eat, dress, hitch up the wagon and get to town for church." Rob answers as the two youngest look on wide-eyed at their brothers and sister.

Having just finished tying Ben's necktie and straightening George's suspenders, Joseph hears a wagon coming into the yard.

"Rob! Someone's here in a buggy." Joseph says looking out the window. "I thought we were all finished with the building. Everything was done. Besides, why would they come out in a buggy?"

"Check to see who it is before you open the door," Rob says helping Claire with the dishes. "We are done. I don't know who could be coming out now as they should be going to church."

Looking out the front window of the sitting room again, Joseph lets out a yell "It's Pa and Mama!" before throwing open the front door and dashing for the buggy.

"Pa! Mama! You're back early! Did you rent a buggy?" Joseph says as the two youngest pass him heading straight for their parents.

"Hello, Joseph. No, this belongs to us now. I hardly know what to say here. We couldn't believe we were at the same house. I only knew we were with the barn still the same. You've been busy, children." Ethan replies after helping Delphie down and hugging the two leeches hanging on him.

"Boys, let me go. I missed you too but I need to be able to walk. Go hang on your Mama. Hello there, Rob, Claire."

"Welcome home, Pa and Ma," Rob calls as he greets the adults from the porch. Having gone down the steps to hug her parents, Claire asks "Do you like the way the house looks? Many people from town came out and worked. They wanted to give you a bigger house so they did. We have a lot of things to tell you."

"I do and I'm anxious to hear everything but first can we just go inside? We're both ready to be home." Ethan asks unable to resist teasing his daughter.

"After you, Ma. I hope you like the new arrangement." Rob says as he holds the door for Delphie. "Boys, let her go. She can walk you know." Rob commands.

"OH! Oh my goodness! Ethan, just look at this. So spacious. This table is new." Delphie sputters in astonishment as she looks all around the kitchen.

"Look at this Mama! We can pull this and look what happens!" Ben exclaims as he pulls the rope to raise the new metal pantry. We can stop going down to the cellar all the time now. We put food on these shelves and then pull it up when we need it! It keeps things fresh too."

"That is a marvel, Ben. I can see where it's going to be useful."

"It will be useful if we can keep Ben from playing with it. He wants to pull it up and let it down all the time." Joseph says somewhat scornfully, earning a scowl from his brother.

"I'm sure Ben will leave it until we need it now that he's figured out how it works. Isn't that right, Ben?" Delphie asks with a smile for the glowering child.

"Yes, Mama."

Having watched Delphie as she walked around the kitchen, Ethan asks, "Claire, where's your room? What is upstairs? Do we now have an attic?"

"Claire and Rob have new rooms, Papa! Yes, we have an attic." George tells him. "Want to go see?"

"George, if we don't leave now, we'll be late for church." Claire scolds the exuberant boy.

"Awww, but I want to show Mama and Papa the new house. Can't we stay home just this once?"

Looking to her parents, Claire waits for their decision. "Just this once, we'll skip church when we aren't ill. I don't believe these two kangaroos would be able to sit for a sermon today." Ethan announces causing Ben and George to clap enthusiastically.

"I assume my, uh, our room is still in the same place even if the door has moved?" Ethan asks Claire as he motions to the door now at the opposite end of the kitchen.

"Yes, sir." Claire answers eyes twinkling in anticipation of what's to come.

"Joseph, Ben, George, change clothes and bring our bags in, please. They are at the back of the buggy and also on the inside."

"Yes, Pa," Joseph replies, steering his younger brothers out of the kitchen.

Opening the door of his bedroom, Ethan stops on the threshold just staring. "Delphie. Come look at what has been done."

"What? Oh, Ethan! My quilt. Amy must have brought it over. That's something my seanmháthair made years ago."

"Who is that word you said?" Claire asks.

"You pronounce it shan a WAW her, and it is the Irish word for grandmother," Delphie answers as the three walk into the room.

"If your grandmother made it that is something very special. I like the blue and yellow colors she used. It's perfect for blending the two of us. You are the bright sunshine in our family so yellow is your color. It must have taken her months to work it with such small patches and then to have it be in a heart pattern. The blue patches outlining the yellow heart is beautiful."

"Why Ethan, I never would have thought a man could appreciate needlework as you just have."

"My mother enjoyed quilting. What have we here? A new chiffarobe and a new chest of drawers as well. I see a few more items scattered around that must be yours. I'm pretty sure I don't own a pearl handled mirror, brush or comb set. I don't own a trunk with rosemaling across the front either."

"It was nice of Amy to move my things in for me. That quilt should be hers as she is the eldest but if she insists, I'll keep it." Delphie replies.

"Where did the new pieces of furniture come from?" Ethan asks Claire as he examines one of the drawers.

"These were given to you both by Mrs. Johannsen and Mrs. Lindrum. The chiffarobe is from Mrs. Johannsen as she said she had no room for two."

Well, now that we have seen this wonderful new room, let us go upstairs. I'd like to see your room now Claire." Delphie exclaims as the boys walk in each carrying a carpetbag followed by Joseph and Rob carrying a trunk.

"I went to help unload. I believe you came home with more than you took, Pa. I know you didn't take a buggy." Rob teases as he places his end of the trunk on the floor.

"Yes, it seems we needed more things for the family than I knew about," Ethan answers motioning with his head towards Delphie now in conversation with Claire.

"I really like that new buggy you have. Is it for us or is it just borrowed from the livery?" Rob asks.

"It's for the family. Mostly for you and Claire as a graduation gift. I know you have been working to restore that old one but son, it's just not working. The more you piece it together the worse off it gets. It isn't safe to use. I would suggest selling it to the livery for scrap. You are welcome to use the new one as long as you ask permission first."

"Yes sir, thank you Pa. I'd love to take Cecily for a drive in it. Maybe later today, if that's alright with you. We haven't spent any time together in the week you've been away. We were quite busy here. Uncle Matt and Mr. Blackstock organized a building crew and they did all of the work with Joseph and I helping, in six days. I was surprised at how quickly they worked."

"We are amazed at the transformation of this house. The kitchen is much larger and this room is very nice. I hear you have a new room as well, shall we go look? I believe the ladies and the boys left us. Speaking of Ben and George, how did they behave for you?"

"George was his usual well behaved cooperative self. Ben, just the opposite. I would like to wait to tell you the rest until later if I may. May we see the rest of the house and then talk in the barn? I'd like to say some things in private."

"That bad was it?" Ethan asks shaking his head in exasperation. "We'll talk after we finish the tour and have something to eat. We haven't eaten since early this morning. Now, let's go see these fabulous rooms George told us about. Are you moved in already or do we need to move the beds?"

"We're already moved in. Joseph and I with the boys' help, dismantled and put the beds back together. Uncle Matt and Chris helped move the chiffarobes upstairs. That was not easy. Someone had to walk backward and Uncle Matt made Chris do it. Ben got to stand at the top and direct, he enjoyed that."

Looking around the new room, Ethan says "This is a nice, Rob. I know you'll enjoy having more room. I'm sorry we had to have such a small space before. When we put in the W.C. it cut Joseph's room in two sections and you wound up with the smaller section. This is more a real room. You even have your own window. I trust you won't be sneaking out of it though, correct?"

"No, not through the window. That roof to the porch is only sheets of tin. I doubt it would hold me if I tried to step on it." Rob says letting his twinkling eyes show he's kidding around.

"That's good to know. However, I would prefer to hear you say you don't plan to sneak out at all." Ethan says ruffling the boy's hair.

"I won't be sneaking out. I'm seventeen and engaged now, so no need to sneak around."

"I hope you stay with that statement. Let me go see Claire's room now."

"Well Claire, this is nice. I see you're using the star quilt you made last Fall. What do you plan to do to decorate up here?"

"I haven't thought more than to make some curtains for the window. Rob, do you want curtains on yours?" Claire asks Rob who followed their Pa into her room.

"No, I'll pass on frilly things. Thanks just the same."

"Where did Delphie go? I thought she was here with you."

"The boys and Joseph took her outside to see the kittens. Shadow has five kittens, Pa. The boys are very excited having kittens around to watch grow and to play with."

"Well this remodel of the house is quite amazing. Such a surprise and a well needed one at that. Having six people, two of them young boys, already cramming themselves into our small house was difficult enough. Adding one more just seemed we'd be on top of each other even more. I'm happy the two of you will have a space to use when you need to get away and be alone. We won't be entertaining the intendeds up here, however. You are welcome to invite Alex or Cecily to visit but they will not be allowed to visit upstairs."

"I won't be allowed to show Cecily my new room?" Claire asks, confused.

"Alex may visit with Rob upstairs as long as you are not up here as well and Cecily may visit you as long as Rob is not in his room. No boy/girl pair-offs upstairs is what I'm saying."

"Pa, we wouldn't be doing anything other than talking! I can't even ask my betrothed to visit my new space?" Rob asks somewhat heatedly.

"No. You may not. There is an expanded sitting room downstairs where the front room is, you may visit there. If you want to argue, I can make it where Cecily doesn't visit you here at all. Is this what you want, Robert?"

Hearing himself be referred to as 'Robert' plus the deeper warning tone his Pa just used clues Rob into the fact he's about to lose visiting privileges if he doesn't backtrack.

"I'm sorry. It's just I had thought to show Cecily my new space."

"She may see it as long as you are not closing the door or alone together. If all four of you young people view it together, that would be acceptable.

After enjoying their first home meal together as a family, Ethan and Rob walk out to the barn on the pretense of checking the animals.

"Everything looks well cared for, son. You did a great job handling the ranch work, the boys, and then having the building group here as well. I'm quite amazed at how everything is so well kept. I may just leave you in charge and take long vacations more often."

"I would be willing to accept that as long as you do one thing for me. If you leave me in charge, take Ben with you. He nearly caused me to lose control and if I did that, I'm afraid I would've hurt him. I was that mad."

"Come, let's sit here on the bales. You tell me everything that went on, and let your frustration out. I'm home now, you are free to release that control you are fighting. It's just the two of us in here."

"May I bar the door? I don't want someone coming in."

"You may." Ethan answers while wondering what it is that is causing his eldest son to be nearly in tears just thinking of discussing what went on.

"I was so scared, Pa! I heard the gunshot and when we came through the bushes, there he was holding the gun. I grabbed the gun and handed it to Matt then I grabbed him. I held him by the arm and delivered several swats. I hit him hard. I was so angry. He could have been hurt or killed. As often as I know you have talked about guns and we as a family have talked about not touching guns, he goes and plays with one. Now, I understand why you were always so adamant about me not having or shooting a gun. I understand what you were feeling when I or Joseph held a gun. I went cold all over when I saw Ben standing there with that revolver." Rob says brushing the falling tears off his face.

"Did you whip him, son? It was in your right to do so if that's worrying you."

"No, Sir. I couldn't do it. I knew he deserved it but I couldn't do it. I was too angry and shaking. I told Uncle Matt, you would use that strop if you were home. Uncle Matt whipped Caleb and Ben. He used the strop for some of it. Oh, Pa. He could have been killed! The gun had four bullets in it! What if Caleb had fired at Ben or they'd hit a tree and it ricocheted off to strike them? I couldn't stop shaking for the rest of the night. I left Joseph and Claire to deal with the boys and stayed in my room. I haven't been able to talk much to Ben since then. I'm not ready to be a Pa. I don't know what to do when the child does something like this. I was so tempted to cut a switch and thrash his butt with it! How dare he do that to me! Make me so mad I wanted to switch him!"

"You were already understandably upset with Ben for the pranks he'd pulled and his overall disobedience. Then he does something you knew is deadly so your reaction was just, son. I'm proud of you, Rob. You handled this very well. You knew you were too angry and upset to punish Ben so you removed yourself. That is a sign of a good parent, son. How many times when you children are in trouble, have you seen me take a long walk or come out here alone?"

"Many times. So you do that to calm down? To get to where you aren't angry at us?"

"To calm down, yes. You don't lose anger that quickly, but you can manage it. What do you suggest is a suitable punishment for Ben's not obeying you? For the pranks and general disrespect he showed?"

"I already swatted him some."

"Yes, so you told me. What else do you feel he deserves?"

"We need the coop cleaned and kindling chopped, he could do that plus no visits to town, I guess."

"Extra chores and confined to the ranch for a week. Plus he and I will be discussing his use of a gun as well. I need to talk all of this over with Delphie and then I will be speaking to your young tormentor. I'll be sure Ben apologizes to you later tonight. For now, you are free from responsibility. Thank you for taking care of our home, son. Go to town, enjoy the new buggy. Take Cecily for a ride even. I've already sent Claire off to visit Alex so you go enjoy the rest of today as well."

"Thank you, Pa," Rob says standing. Walking to the door he stops to turn and say "Pa?"

"Yes?"

"Just so you know, Joseph was extremely helpful. He worked alongside me and the men the whole time. If I didn't know he was only fourteen, I would have thought he was my age he did so well. The men were impressed with his building skills. You taught us well."

"Joseph has shown he's maturing into a young man rather than a boy. I will make sure to let him know how pleased I am with him as well. I think I'll send him and George fishing later."

"They would enjoy that. None of us have done much of anything other than work and sleep since you left. I'm going now, Cecily won't believe I am actually there to see her."

Having seen Rob and Ethan leave, Ben has a good idea what is taking place out in the barn. Nervously twiddling his thumbs as he sits at the kitchen table finishing his cookies.

"Mama? Would it be alright if George and I went fishing after we help with the dishes?" Ben asks hoping she'll say they can go without doing the kitchen cleanup.

"Well, we'll just ask your Pa about that, won't we? He may have something else in mind."

Sharing a thought with George, Ben thinks Does she know what I did, do you think? I sure want to get out of here before Pa comes back.

I don't know if she does or not but you are too late to leave now. I see Pa and Rob coming out. Rob is taking the new buggy and Pa is coming inside. Good luck, Ben. He does not look pleased at all. George sends back.

"Excuse me please, I need the W.C.!" Ben announces as he jumps from the chair, running.

"Has he been ill, George?" Delphie asks.

"No, Mama."

Walking into the kitchen, Ethan asks, "Where's Ben?"

"He just went to the necessary, Ethan. Why the angry look?"

"Excuse us, Joseph, George. Your Ma and I are going to have a private conversation. Stay at the table please and tell Ben the same."

"BEN! Pa said to stay at the table! You get caught eavesdropping and you will catch it! You know what Pa told you last time!" Joseph says as Ben moves to the wall halfway between the table and the bedroom door.

"SHHHH! They're talking about me!" Ben hisses with his ear pressed against the wall.

"I agree, Ethan. This was so dangerous. You must make an impression on him." Ben hears his new Mama say, causing him to frown.

Hearing the door being opened further down the kitchen, he quickly rushes to the sink, fills the glass with water taking a sip. Trying to act innocent as his Mama and Papa come to the area where the table is, he glances at his Pa.

"Ben, I believe you and I have some talking we need to do. Come with me. Joseph, how about you and George go catch us a string of fish for supper? I haven't had fresh fish in a week."

"Yes, sir! We can do that! Come on George, let's get our gear and go."

"Papa wants to talk to Ben alone, doesn't he? Ben's in for a whipping isn't he?" George asks as they look for grubs at the pond.

"Yes, he wants to talk alone. I don't know what he has planned, George. Is your bottom twinging?"

"No."

"Then Ben isn't getting a butt blistering. You told me you had twinges when Uncle Matt whipped him."

"I kinda feel sorry for Ben. Just a little."

"He brought it all on himself. Just remember that. Let's get fishing. I can catch more than you."

"NUH UH! I can talk to fish, remember? Mitch taught me."

"Go get 'em fish boy."

Concluding his talk of the pranks pulled, Ethan asks the child sitting across from him on a bale. "So young man, you were quite unreasonable during the time Rob was in charge, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, sir. I played a lot of pranks and didn't listen well."

"To make amends, you will complete a list of chores while you are housebound all of next week. You will do things to ease Rob's workload. Tomorrow morning, you and I will visit each of the men involved in the building project so that you can apologize to them for your misbehavior. They were here to do us a favor and you acted completely unreasonable. I'm very disappointed in your behavior, Ben. Now let's talk of your playing with the gun. What have I told you about touching ANY guns?"

"Never ever touch a gun. I didn't shoot it, Papa! I only held it! Besides, Uncle Matt used the strop on me!"

"How many times did he apply the strop"

"Two but they burned! He whipped me with a belt too!"

"Don't sound so put out! Matt had every right to discipline you in that way. I would have as well! I'm not so sure I shouldn't add a few licks of that strop myself as two doesn't quite seem enough! I want to make sure you understand you are to never touch a gun until I give you permission. That has been our number one rule from the time you were six years old and moved here to live! You could have been killed, Ben! GUNS ARE NOT TOYS! DO YOU HEAR ME?! Explain to me why you are not to touch the guns, once more."

"I didn't know it was loaded! It wasn't MY fault. YOU left it loaded and Caleb made me play with it! IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I shouldn't of been punished."

"Wrong answer, son," Ethan replies. Taking the boy by the arm he half pulls half walks the child into the tack room.

"NOOO," Ben calls out as his pants are suddenly pulled down. "Papa? Listen, Papa, I'm sorry. I was wrong. I won't play with a gun again. They're dangerous and forbidden! It was me, I wanted to do it too. I'm sorry and I'll tell Rob that. Papa? Papa?" Ben calls from face down over a barrel.

His only answer is the streak of fire across his newly bared behind.

"I don't want to do that to you, Ben. You forced me. I told you and George when you fired Joseph's air rifle, I would deliver a more thorough whipping if you handled a gun again. You must obey me and when I tell you to leave guns alone, I mean just that. You also disobeyed my directions to do as Rob, Claire and Joseph told you. Then we have the disrespect to adults you showed with those pranks. All of that together is what brought us to this conclusion." Ethan says to the now sobbing child he's cuddling.

"Six more made that fire Uncle Matt set burn again. Was that the strop again? I'm telling Mama you whipped me. She'll be mad at you."

"No, son that was just my belt. You're Mama agreed to this punishment. We don't want to lose you, Ben. We will do whatever it takes to teach you this fact."

"Mama let you?" Ben asks in shock.

"She agreed. Now we are going inside and you are going to stay in your room until suppertime. Let's go. By the way, I will not hesitate to repeat Uncle Matt's lesson with the strop if I ever even suspect you have touched a gun. Do you understand, Benjamin? This better not happen again."