"We can never tell what we can do until we try," replied the mother. "Where are the sheep?"
"They are in the pasture. I'll catch them," offered Silas, the younger son.
"And I'll help," said little Faith. "I'll get some salt to coax them with."
The children ran to the pasture. "Nan, Nan, Nan, Nan," they called. And the sheep came running for the salt.
Nancy was hurrying to the field with a pair of large shears in her hand. "Catch that black sheep if you can," she shouted.
Silas caught and held the sheep, while Nancy cut off the long, black wool.
"Here is a white sheep with beautiful wool," called out Faith.
Silas put his arms around the patient animal, and Nancy cut off its fine white wool.
"You may carry in all the wool we have, Faith," said Nancy. "Silas and I will keep on shearing until we have enough."
The wool was quickly combed by Deborah, for there was no time to wash the newly cut fleece. Very soon the mother commenced to spin. How the spinning wheel buzzed as it twisted the soft wool into yarn!