Eban, however, did not take Michael’s hint, but continued working away in the boat till she was completely put to rights.
“Now,” he said, “I will help you up with the oars and sails. You have more than enough to do, it seems to me, for a small fellow like you.”
“I am able to do it,” answered Michael; “and I am thankful that I can.”
“You live hard, though, and your father grows no richer,” observed Eban. “If he did as others do, and as my father has advised him many a time, he would be a richer man, and you and your sister and Aunt Lanreath would not have to toil early and late, and wear the life out of you as you do. I hope you will be wiser.”
“I know my father is right, whatever he does, and I hope to follow his example,” answered Michael, unstepping the mast, which he let fall on his shoulder preparatory to carrying it up to the shed.
“I was going to take that up,” said Eban; “it is too heavy for you by half.”
“It is my duty, thank you,” said Michael, somewhat coldly, stepping on shore with his burden.
Slight as he looked, he carried the heavy spar up the pathway and deposited it against the side of the house. He was returning for the remainder of the boat’s gear, when he met Eban with it on his shoulders.
“Thank you,” he said; “but I don’t want to give you my work to do.”
“It’s no labour to me,” answered Eban. “Just do you go and turn in, and I will moor the boat and make a new set of ‘tholes’ for you.”