"I wouldn't want to be a fireman," said Abel.

"Why not?"

"Firemen are low."

"You won't think so if you are ever in a burning house, Abel."

"They are a very useful class of people," said Mrs. Lane.

"You wouldn't want me to be a fireman, ma, would you?"

"No, perhaps not."

"You might be something a great deal worse, nephew," said the blacksmith.

"Has Mr. Nugent no family?" asked Mr. Crane.

"He has a grandson about my age, but he is at a boarding-school somewhere," answered Gerald.