g way as the good sense of this
appeal which made it irresistible.

"Of course it would be better! I'll get you a basket of potatoes now,
and some green corn, and I'll look out for the water and wood."

"O, thank you!" said Vinnie. "That will make things so much easier and
pleasanter for all of us!"

The potatoes and corn were got with a cheerful alacrity which quite
astonished Rufe's mother and sisters.

The inertia of a large body being thus overcome, that well-known
property of matter tended to keep Rufus still in motion; and while
Vinnie, with Lill's help, was getting the dinner ready, he might have
been seen approaching the wood-pile with an eye to business.

"See here, Wad! This wood is pretty dry now; don't you think it had
better be cut up and got in before there comes a rain?"

"Yes, s'pose 't would be a good idea."

"We ought to be ashamed," Rufe went on, "to have _her_ calling for a
handful of wood every time it's wanted, or going out to hack a little
for herself, if we're not around; for she'll do it."

"I s'pose so," Wad assented. "Why don't you go to work and cut it up?
I'll sit down on a log and whittle, and keep you company."

"Pshaw! don't talk that way. I'll go to work at it if you will. Come!
Will you saw, or split?"

Wad laughed, and said he would split,--perhaps because the sawing must
be done first.

"This saw is in a frightful condition!" Rufe said, stopping to breathe
after sawing a few sticks.

"So is this axe; look at the edge! It's too dull even to split with,"
said Wad. "A small boy might ride to mill on it without suffering any
very great inconvenience."

"If father would only file and set this saw, I'd help you grind the
axe," said Rufe.

The paternal Betterson was just then returning from a little walk about
his estate. As he approached, hat in hand, wiping his noble forehead,
under the shade of the oaks, Rufe addressed him.

"We've got to have wood in the house; now _she_'s come, it won't do to
get it by little driblets, and have her waiting for it and worrying
about it. I'll saw it, if you'll only set the saw; you know how, and I
don't; we'll do the hard work if you'll furnish a little of your skill."

Rufe knew how to appeal to the paternal vanity. The idea of furnishing,
not labor, but skill, flattered my lord.

"Ah! let me look at the saw. And bring me the file. And set out the
shave-horse. I'll show you how the thing is done."

When Link, who in the mean while