John. Now, what’s the use of telling me that? Don’t I know it? I tell you what, old lady, if we ain’t mighty careful, we shall have nothing to eat one of these days.
Mrs. Gale. When that time comes, we’ll begin to complain. But with two sich boys as our Sept. and our March—
John. Now, what’s the use of talking about them boys? What are they good for? Where’s Sept.?
Mrs. Gale. Off in his boat, I s’pose.
John. His boat! a pretty boat he’s got. If he’s not kerful, he’ll see the bottom afore he knows it.
Mrs. Gale. Our Sept.! Why, he’s the best boatman along shore. You needn’t be scared about him.
John. Not when he’s a stout plank under him. But that skiff of his is as frail as a shingle. Where’s March?
Mrs. Gale. I left him here a minnit ago.
John. There’s another beauty. I tell you what, Mother Gale, I’m going to turn over a new leaf with these boys. I won’t have so much of this shirking work. Sept. shall sell that boat; and March—
Mrs. Gale. Why, you ugly old bear! what’s the matter with you? Turn over a new leaf indeed! Well, that’s a good one. Only this morning you were blessing your stars you had two such boys,—the best and smartest—