"

"What work, mother?" asked Paul, a shadow of dissatisfaction passing
over his face.

"Captain Littleton thought he could get me a chance to make bags for the
flour mills."

"I don't mean to have you take in work, mother. You have enough to do to
take care of the house and the children."

"I can do a good deal besides. Sarah can help a great deal about the
house, and with what we can all do, we shall get along very well indeed.
We ought to be very thankful for all the blessings that surround us."

"We are enough sight better off than I thought," replied Paul; "but I
don't want to have you make a slave of yourself. You used to work hard
enough; and now, if you are going to take in work, you will wear
yourself out in a few years."

"I guess not, Paul. There is somebody knocking at the door; go and see
who it is."

Paul went to the door, and the visitor proved to be Captain Littleton.

"I was looking for you, Paul," said he. "I'm going to give a dinner
party to-morrow, and I want a mess of perch, fresh from the rocks, by
twelve o'clock. I want you should go down and catch them for me. You
always have good luck at fishing. Will you do this for me, Paul?"

"Yes, sir; certainly I will."

"I will speak to your mother about it."

Paul conducted Captain Littleton into the little parlor, and called his
mother. She was willing that he should go, and glad to have him do
something in return for the gentleman's repeated acts of kindness.

"I will give you twenty cents a dozen for them, Paul, and I want at
least five dozen," continued the captain.

"He will not charge anything, sir," added Mrs. Duncan.

"Not a cent, sir," repeated Paul.

"It's a fair trade, young man, and I won't take them unless I pay for
them."

"I don't want any pay from you, sir."

"But I choose to pay you, and you must take your orders from me in this
instance. Have you any clams for bait?"

"No, sir. I will get some to-night."

"Very well; you may go and get them now, and I will talk to your mother
about business."

Paul took his hat and went down to the beach. Embarking in the old boat,
he sailed over to Tenean, where plenty of clams were to be had, and a
bucket full was soon procured. Like a prudent fisherman, he made all his
arrangements for the next day. First he repaired the worn-out sail, then
made a new sprit, and refitted the tiller to the rudder head. When
everything was in ship-shape order about the boat, he took out his per