So Caleb ran to ask his grandmother; and she came to the window, and enquired of Raymond how long he expected to be gone. He said it would take him more than half a day to make the piece of fence, and he was going to take his dinner with him. This was an objection to Caleb's going; but yet his grandmother concluded on the whole to consent. So they put up some bread and butter, and some apples, with Raymond's dinner, for Caleb. These things were all put in paper parcels, and the parcels put into a bag, which was thrown into the bottom of the cart.
Then Caleb wanted to take his hatchet.
His grandmother thought it would not be safe.
“I'll be very careful,” said he: “and if I don't have my hatchet, how can I help to make the fence?”
Raymond smiled, and Madam Rachel seemed at a loss to know what to say.
“It won't do,—will it Raymond?” said she.
“He might cut himself,” said Raymond.
“But there is a small key-hole saw in the barn, that I filed up the other day. Perhaps he might have that, to saw the bushes down with.”
“Can you saw, Caleb?” said his grandmother.
“Not very well,” said Caleb, looking somewhat disappointed; “the saw sticks so.”