READING OR SLEEPING

Because Adam Cartwright was away for business concerning the surrounding the Ponderosa his father Ben Cartwright was the one who had look after the son of Adam, Mitch (5). This was for the owner of the ranch no objection because this was a select excuse to spend more time with his grandson. Of course Mitch didn’t mind this at all too.

It had been a very long day for grandpa and grandson Cartwright. They were busy outside all day long.

“Grandpa, are you going to read to me or not?”, Mitch asked after supper.

“Of course I do that”, answered Ben.

He grabbed a book and went to sit in his red chair. Mitch took a seat on the settee. Then the reading hour began. Though Mitch had become so tired by the open air that had fallen asleep within a few minutes. But that also went for Ben. It was deadly in the living room until the 2^nd son of the rancher, Hoss, came in. He knew that his nephew was present and that it was always very noisy by him.

“What is it quiet in the house”, he said to himself.

Hoss walked a bit further into the living room and saw 2 sleeping Cartwrights. ‘That’s why it is so quiet in the house’, he thought smiling. Hoss walked up to his father and shook him awake.

“Pa, is it already so bad with you that you fall asleep while reading?”, Hoss asked teasing.

“I wasn’t sleeping at all. I just let my eyes rest for a moment”, said the rancher.

“And I must believe that. Just take a look at the settee”, Hoss said laughing.

Both looked at the settee where the youngest Cartwright was fast asleep.

“It has been a very long day for him. If you would like to bring him to bed, I can let my eyes rest then for a moment”, Ben suggested.

“You just remain sitting. I will bring that little thing to bed”, said Hoss.

He walked to the settee and lifted up his nephew to bring him to bed. Satisfied Ben watched his son because he knew that it always cost a lot of time and trouble to get Mitch into bed.

Hoss tried to get Mitch to bed as silent as possible but he stepped on a peep toy of their dog Cody so that the boy woke up.

“Hi uncle Hoss”, Mitch said laughing.

“Hi Mitchy. Grandpa is already sleeping so I suggested to volunteer to bring you to bed”, said Hoss.

“Fine. Go ahead”, answered Mitch.

Hoss put the boy in bed and tucked him in.

“Sleep well because it is early day for you again”, said Hoss.

“Not for you then?”, Mitch wanted to know.

“Of course for me too. But seeing that you fall asleep when someone reads to you, you need your night rest harder than I do. Goodnight”, said Hoss.

He kissed the boy where after Mitch fell asleep again. Hoss left silently the bedroom of his nephew and went to look if his father was still awake. Of course this wasn’t the case. Hoss saw that his father was sleeping again but decided not to say anything about it. Because he knew from experiences that he had to be the kitchen help of their Chinese cook Hop Sing. And Hoss didn’t feel like that.

From that day on Ben and Mitch watched out with reading, especially in the evening.