“Why?” said Rollo.
“O, because there are always unforeseen difficulties. We don’t know exactly how to do it, and are apt to make mistakes; and so we spoil some of our work, and this makes us impatient and fretful.”
“But I could not help coming to you,” said Rollo, “when I found I could not sharpen my wedge.”
“I did not blame you for coming to me,” said Jonas.
“But you said I was impatient.”
“Yes, but not for coming to me—I judged by your looks and tone of voice. Now if you can keep good-natured and pleasant, so as to go on steadily and patiently, difficulties or no difficulties, I will help you by my advice; otherwise, I think you had better give up the plan.”
Rollo stood a few minutes leaning on the door, and swinging it back and forth a little. He seemed to be in doubt whether to be good-natured or not. At length, the better feelings triumphed, and he said,
“Well, Jonas I will try. How can I hold my wedge while I sharpen it?”
“You must not saw it off until it is all sharpened and smoothed. By that means, you see, the long end of the stick, that you make it from, will serve for a handle.”
“So it will,” said Rollo; “I never thought of that.”