"I indorse all that, wife," said Adin Dunham heartily.
"He's always cheerful and willin'—always ready to do chores and give up his own pleasure. I remember last winter he'd set his heart on going with a skatin' party, but when I was taken sick, he stayed at home and tended me, without a word of complaint. He couldn't have done no more if he'd been a son instead of a nephew."
"Just so, wife! Just so! He's a likely boy, and if he keeps on as he's begun he's sure to do well."
"He deserves to prosper, and I hope he will. I wish we could do more for him."
"So do I, but a carpenter that gets work only about half the time can't do what he'd like to."
Just then Dean came into the house—a broad-shouldered, strongly built boy, with a frank, open countenance and red cheeks.
"Dean," said his uncle, "won't you go over to neighbor Gould, and ask if he will lend his horse and buggy for the day? I'm goin' over to Rockmount."
"Going to Rockmount?" repeated Dean eagerly. "Will you take me, uncle?"
"Not to-day, Dean. It's a long ride, and it'll be easier on the horse to carry one than two."
Dean looked disappointed. A ride to Rockmount, which was a considerably larger place than Waterford, would have been to him a very agreeable recreation, but he was not a boy to complain or tease when a favor had been refused. So he indulged in no remonstrance, but went over to Mr. Gould's dwelling, only twenty rods away, and preferred the request.