Again Archie pitied the little fellow.
"Too young," said Bill, "for man's labour like this."
"He'll l'arn all the better for his youth."
"Time enough," Bill insisted, "two years hence."
"Ah, well, Bill," said Jonathan, then, "I wants t' see my gran'son fit an' able for his labour afore I goes my way." And he clapped the lad on the back. "Eh, Toby?" said he, heartily.
The lad was grave and mannerly.
"Ay, gran'pa," said he; "you're wonderful careful o' me, you is!"
"That I is, Toby!"
"Yes, siree!"