matter of tying she gave
them all the trouble she could, and allowed them to depart only after a
most indignant bray. Her racket brought various heads to the windows,
and the visitors were as much of interest to the artisans as themselves
were to Amy.

She followed her guide eagerly, too self-unconscious to be abashed by
any stare; and though he had shown many strangers "over the works," he
felt that explaining things to this bright-eyed girl would be a
pleasanter task than ordinary.

"I like to begin all things at the foundation," he remarked, with a
smile, "so we'll go to the fire-room first."

This was down another short flight of steps, and over a bridge spanning
the race, which deep, dark watercourse immediately caught Amy's
attention.

"How smooth and swift it looks; and so black. Isn't that man afraid to
stand there?" indicating a workman stationed upon the sluice gate,
engaged in the endless task of raking fallen leaves away from the rack.

"Oh, no! not afraid! The work is monotonous, but it must be done, or
there'll be the mischief to pay. Now, here are the fires."

A soot-grimed man approached the door of the furnace room, and
respectfully touched his forehead to his superior, then glanced toward
Amy.

"I'm afeared the little lady will soil her pretty frock," he remarked,
with another pull at his forelock.

"Thank you for thinking of it. I'll try to be careful," she answered,
tiptoeing across the earthen floor, to stoop and peer into the roaring
furnaces. "I should be afraid it would burn the whole place up. How hot
it is! Is it all right?"

"Yes; they're doing prime to-day. We takes care of the danger, miss.
But hot? Well, you should ought to be here about midsummer, say. Ah!
this isn't bad, is it, boss?"

"Very comfortable. You like your job, eh, Ben?"

"Sure; it's a good one. Steady, an' wages regular. Good day, miss,
you're welcome, I'm sure," he concluded, as she thanked him again for
opening the furnace doors and explaining how it was he managed the great
fires.

"Now, the engine room; to see the object of all that heat," said Mr.
Metcalf.

"If only Hallam were here!" exclaimed Amy.

"Is he your brother?"

"Yes. Oh! it all seems just like fairyland; even better, for this is
useful, while fairyland is merely pleasant."

"Then you deem useful things of more account than pleasant ones? Hmm;
most young ladies who have visited us have seemed afraid rather than
pleased. The whir of the