"And you have come over the mountain to-night?"
"Yes, mother."
She stooped in silence to the fire to take up her tea-pot; but
Asahel exclaimed,
"It ain't right, mamma, is it, for Winthrop to be dressing flax for anybody else?"
"What's the wrong?" said his brother.
"Is it, mamma?"
But mamma was silent.
"What's the wrong?" repeated Winthrop.
"Because you ought to be doing your own business."
"Never did, if I didn't to-day," Winthrop remarked as he came to the table.