So Tony went out to the field with the stalwart "hired man," and kept him company through the forenoon.
"That's easy work," said Tony, after a while.
"Do you think you can do it?"
"Let me try."
Tony succeeded tolerably well, but he could not get over the ground so fast as Abner.
"Why don't you hire out on a farm?" asked Abner, as he took back the hoe.
"I would if I could," answered Tony.
"Why can't you? Won't your father let you?"
"He wants me to go round with him," answered Tony.
"Wouldn't he take me instead of you?" asked Abner, grinning. "I'd like to travel round and see the world. You could stay here and do farm work."