disliked the tan-yard and all belonging to it. "Thee'rt a fool, and
the lad's another. He may go about his business for me."

"But, father, isn't there anything else?"

"I have nothing else, or if I had I wouldn't give it. He that will
not work neither shall he eat."

"I will work," said John, sturdily--he had listened, scarcely
comprehending, to my father and me. "I don't care what it is, if
only it's honest work."

Abel Fletcher was mollified. He turned his back on me--but that I
little minded--and addressed himself solely to John Halifax.

"Canst thee drive?"

"That I can!" and his eyes brightened with boyish delight.

"Tut! it's only a cart--the cart with the skins. Dost thee know
anything of tanning?"

"No, but I can learn."

"Hey, not so fast! still, better be fast than slow. In the meantime,
thee can drive the cart."

"Thank you, sir--Abel Fletcher, I mean--I'll do it well. That is, as
well as I can."