"Have you any brothers or sisters?"
"No, sir; I am an only child."
"Were you born here?"
"No, sir; I was born in Boston."
"Have you formed any plans for the future? You won't be a boatman all your life, I presume?"
"I hope not, sir. It will do well enough for the present, and I am glad to have such a chance of earning a living for my mother and myself; but when I grow up I should like to go to the city, and get into business there."
"All the country boys are anxious to seek their fortune in the city. In many cases they would do better to stay at home."
"Were you born in the city, sir?" asked Grit shrewdly.
"No; I was born in the country."
"But you didn't stay there."