"What for?"
"Since my father died, I have to do something to help my mother," replied Paul, not caring to announce to his friend the whole of his stupendous plan.
"Do you expect to do anything at this business?"
"Certainly I do; I made two dollars at it yesterday."
"Did you though?"
"Do your folks want any perch to-day?"
"I guess they do; how much a dozen?"
"Seventeen cents," replied Paul, who had decided to be moderate in his prices.
"I will speak to my mother."
Thomas returned in a short time, and took two dozen of the fish, and paid the money for them. Overjoyed at this success, he proceeded to the next house; but though he was eloquent in regard to the freshness and fineness of his wares, he could not make a trade. He met with no better success at the next three or four places at which he called, and he began to feel a little discouraged. But the next house in his way was a large, genteel boarding-house, and he had the satisfaction of selling four dozen at the price he had before fixed, though he had almost made up his mind to let them go at ninepence. The gentleman who kept the house was pleased to get the perch, and wanted the young fisherman to bring him some three times a week for the present, for his boarders were very fond of them.