"Yes, Uncle Reuben; I can manage to do so, by rising an hour earlier than usual," said Ishmael cheerfully.
"You rise airly enough now, in all conscience! You're up at daybreak. If you get up airlier nor that, and take that long walk twice every day, it will wear you out and kill you—that is all."
"It will do me good, Uncle Reuben! It will be just the sort of exercise in the open air that I shall require to antidote the effect of my sedentary work in the schoolroom," said Ishmael cheerfully.
"That's you, Ishmael! allers looking on the bright side of everything, and taking hold of all tools by the smooth handle! I hardly think any hardship in this world as could be put upon you, would be took amiss by you, Ishmael."
"I am glad you think so well of me, Uncle Reuben; I must try to retain your good opinion; it was not of myself I wished to speak, however, but of you. I hope you will learn to keep your own accounts, so as to be independent of anybody else's assistance. If you would give me a half an hour's attention every night, I could teach you to do it well in the course of a few weeks or months."
"Law, Ishmael, that would give you more trouble than keeping the books yourself."
"I can teach you, and keep the books besides, until you are able to do it yourself."
"Law, Ishmael, how will you ever find the time to do all that, and keep school, and read law, and take them long walks besides?"
"Why, Uncle Reuben, I can always find time to do every, duty I undertake," replied the persevering boy.
"One would think your days were forty-eight hours long, Ishmael, for you to get through all the work as you undertake."