"Well, let's settle, then," I said. "You need some money to buy food at once."
"I reckon I do," was the earnest reply.
"There's a dollar for your day's work, and here is what your children have earned. Are you satisfied?" I asked.
"I be, and I thank you, sir. I'll go down to the store this evenin'," he added.
"And buy food only," I said, with a meaning look.
"Flour and pork only, sir. I've given you my hand on't;" and away they all jogged through the thick-falling drops.
We packed our fruit for market, and looked vainly for clearing skies in the west.
"There's no help for it," I said. "The sooner I start for the landing the better, so that I can return before it becomes very dark."
My wife exclaimed against this, but I added: "Think a moment, my dear. By good management we have here, safe and in good order, thirty dollars' worth of fruit, at least. Shall I lose it because I am afraid of a summer shower? Facing the weather is a part of my business; and I'd face a storm any day in the year if I could make thirty dollars."
Merton wished to go also, but I said, "No; there must be no risks of illness that can possibly be avoided."