her."

"Well, why can't you go on doing it? you're accustomed to it, you see,
and I don't like going out so early," said Barry, stretching himself.

"I would, and I wouldn't ask you; only, Barry, somehow I don't think I'm
quite strong lately and I can hardly bring the pail, it's so heavy to
me. I have to stop and rest ever so many times before I can get to the
house with it."

"Well, if you stop and rest, I suppose it wont hurt you," said Barry.
"_I_ should want to stop and rest, too, myself."

His little sister was turning away, giving it up; when she was met by
her father who stepped in from the entry. He looked red with anger.

"You take the pail and go get the water!" said he to his son; "and you
hear me! don't you let Nettie bring in another pailful when you're at
home, or I'll turn you out of the house. You lazy scoundrel! You don't
deserve the bread you eat. Would you let her work for you, when you are
as strong as sixty?"

Barry's grumbled words in answer were so very unsatisfactory, that Mr.
Mathieson in a rage advanced toward him with uplifted fist; but Nettie
sprang in between and very nearly caught the blow that was meant for her
brother.

"Please, father, don't!" she cried; "please, father, don't be angry.
Barry didn't think--he didn't"--

"Why didn't he?" said Mr. Mathieson. "Great lazy rascal! He wants to be
flogged."

"Oh don't!" said Nettie,--"he didn't know why I asked him, or he
wouldn't have refused me."

"Why did you, then?"

"Because it made my back ache so to bring it, I couldn't help asking
him."

"Did you ever ask him before?"

"Never mind, please, father!" said Nettie, sweetly. "Just don't think
about me, and don't be angry with Barry. It's no matter now."

"Who does think about you? Your mother don't, or she would have seen to
this before."

"Mother didn't know my back ached. Father, you know she hasn't a minute,
she is so busy getting breakfast in time; and she didn't know I wasn't
strong enough. Father, don't tell her, please, I asked Barry. It would
worry her so. Please don't, father."

"_You_ think of folks, anyhow. You're a regular peacemaker!" exclaimed
Mr. Mathieson as he turned away and left her. Nettie stood still, the
flush paling on her cheek, her hand pressed to her side.

"Am I that?" she thought. "Shall I be that? Oh Lord, my Saviour, my dear
Redeemer, send thy peace here!"--She was still in the same place and
position when Barry came in again.

"It's wr