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The mourners were very indignant. “Wretched boy,” said the sexton, “say rather, God rest his soul.”

“All right,” said Tony. He then repeated incessantly, “God rest his soul.”

A passer-by who was dragging a dog to the river heard him, and cried, “What! his soul, foolish boy! Say rather, Get out of the way, horrid animal.”

“Good,” said Tony, and he repeated the new refrain.

THE STORY OF THE BOY WHO ALWAYS SAID THE WRONG THING

He then came to the church, and at that moment a newly married pair came out. When the bridegroom heard this strange greeting, he gave him a sounding box on the ears. “There, I’ll teach you manners, you vulgar little boy,” he said; “why don’t you say, It is a beautiful sight?”

On turning the corner of a street he saw a house on fire. Tony stopped a moment and said, “It is a beautiful sight.”

The people who were bringing pails of water to put out the fire cried angrily, “Say rather, I wish it were out.”

“All right, I will,” said Tony. He walked on. He was now only two minutes from the mill; the smithy was the last house he had to pass.