“What should you like to have me do?” asked Rollo.
“O, you may pick up chips, or pile that short wood in the shed. But stand back from the wheel, for I am going to start now.”
So Rollo stood back, and his father drew up the reins which Jonas had just put into his hands, and guided the horse slowly and carefully out of the yard. Rollo ran along behind the wagon as far as the gate, to see his father go off, and stood there a few minutes, watching him as he rode along, until he disappeared at [pg 14]a turn in the road. He then came back to the yard, and sat down on a log by the side of Jonas, who was busily at work mending the wheelbarrow.
Rollo sat singing to himself for some time, and then he said,
“Jonas, father thinks I am not big enough to work; don't you think I am?”
“I don't know,” said Jonas, hesitating. “You do not seem to be very industrious just now.”
“O, I am resting now,” said Rollo; “I am going to work pretty soon.”
“What are you resting from?” said Jonas.
“O, I am resting because I am tired.”
“What are you tired of?” said Jonas. “What have you been doing?”