"But, father, I seed you take and put the new broad axe in the fire with no cloth on it, nor nothing, and heat it real hot, so when I spit on it it sissed."
"Yes, my son; but I didn't do that to take the handle out, but to draw the temper. It was so high tempered it broke, and I couldn't do anything with it; so I thought, as it was of no use as it was, I might as well try to draw down the temper, and if I got too much out, it would only be going to Drew after all. Do you understand now, my son?"
"Yes, father; but I heard you tell mother you meant to try to temper an axe."
"I mean to try, dear. That's what I got the iron and steel for."
"Won't you spoil it?"
"I expect I shall, a good many, before I learn."
"Father, I want to see you learn. Can I see you spoil the axes?"
"Yes, child, I shall want you to help me."
"Think you can learn, father?"
"I guess so."