"Why, don't you know? -- didn't you see me beating flax in the
barn the other day? -- beating it upon a board, with a bat? --
that was scutching."

"That day when mamma said, -- mamma said, you were working too
hard?"

"I think it is very likely."

"I thought we were done dressing flax?" remarked Asahel.

"_We!_ -- well, I suppose you have, for this season."

"Well, ain't you done dressing flax?"

"No, sir."

"I thought you said the flax was all done, Winthrop?" said his
mother.

"My father's is all done, ma'am."

"And yet you have been dressing flax to-day?" said Asahel;
while his mother looked.

"Mamma," said Winthrop, "I wish Asahel was a little older. --
He would be a help."

"Who have you been working for?" said the child.