It certainly was unusual to see the boy work like that!
When asked to do a task, it was Gyp's habit to do it as slowly as possible, and to do as little as he dared.
Now, without waiting to be asked, he was working as if he had not a moment to spare!
Yet more amazing, on the next day, before any of his family was stirring, he was again at work, and soon a huge heap of fagots rose in the little back yard.
"What AILS ye, Gyp?" his mother asked, "Be ye sick?"
Gyp never answered unless he chose, and this was surely one of the times when he did not choose.
"Ornary critter!" said the woman, as she picked up her broom, and went in, closing the door behind her.
"NOW, I'll go!" said Gyp, and he ran off across the fields.
He could take care of himself, and he always managed, when away from home, to steal enough so that he was well fed. He knew that, if wood were needed, his mother would hunt for him, but with the big pile of firewood behind the shanty, she would not search for him. She would be glad that for a time she need not feed him!
Gyp had been shrewd when he had made that woodpile!