d
he felt as proud of his great resolution as though he had achieved its
full fruits. When, at last, he dropped asleep, it was only to dream of
great speculations, and of the satisfaction he should have in giving his
mother money enough on Saturday night to pay all the expenses of the
family for a week.

He woke very early in the morning, and as he jumped out of bed he heard
the clock on the Town Hall strike four. He did not mean to disturb his
mother, and therefore cautioned John not to make any noise. He was not
like some boys, who growl and grumble at their mothers if their meals
are not ready when they want them. Stealing softly down stairs, he went
to the back kitchen, and made a fire in the stove.

"Now, John, you go down to the boat, and bale her out," said he to his
brother, as the latter joined him.

"Are you going without any breakfast?" asked John.

"No; breakfast will be ready by the time you have baled out the boat."

"You haven't called mother yet?"

"I don't mean to do so."

"Where will you get your breakfast, then?"

"I will get it myself."

"You don't know how to cook," replied John, incredulously.

"You see if I don't; now go ahead, and don't make a noise, or you will
wake mother."

Paul then went down cellar, and brought up a few potatoes, which he
washed and put into the kettle. A piece of pork and a slice of veal were
deposited in the frying pan, ready to be cooked at the proper time. The
coffee, not omitting the important bit of fish skin, was put in the
coffee-pot, and operations in that quarter were suspended till the water
in the tea-kettle should boil. Though our hero had never actually
performed these manoeuvres with his own hands, he had seen them
executed so many times that he was perfectly familiar with the routine.

Everything upon the stove was doing very well, and he pulled out the
table, which he proceeded to cover with the proper articles for the
morning meal. Each article was carefully disposed in its proper place,
for Paul had already learned that food tastes better in the midst of
order and neatness, than when taken in dirt and confusion. It is true,
he made some mistakes for the want of experience, and was frequently
obliged to stop and think what articles were required; but when the
table was set, he was satisfied with its cheerful and neat appearance.
By this time the tea-kettle was spouting out long jets of steam, and the
lid was rattling under the influence of th