“No, what of it?”
“Sold on execution, to-morrow, down in front of Runner’s tavern. Don’t I wish I could buy it!”
“Awful hard on Puff,” said Zeb. “He made it himself, and it’s the best boat on the lake.”
“Won’t fetch much,” said Hy. “Sorry for Puff. It’s just a game of some of them lawyers.”
“Anyhow, we’d better be there,” said Zeb. “Maybe we can bid it up a little for Puff. How’ll he ever go a-fishing without it? Then, if Puff can’t fish, he’ll die.”
“Reckon that’s so,” said Hy. “P’r’aps they’d ha’ levied on him, on’y the boat’s worth more’n he is.”
“Sell for more in Ogleport,” remarked Zeb. “Puff’s the best fisherman on the lake, but I wouldn’t care to own him. Now, Hy, I’ve got something more to tell you ’bout the new teacher. I’ve taken that young man right in hand.”
“Hope he’ll turn out better than old Sol,” said Hy.
“Hiram,” said Zeb, “I’m afraid Solomon’s a failure. I give him up, but I’ve great hopes of George Brayton.”
Hy was quite ready to listen, for every day was bringing the fall term nearer, and school matters were assuming a place of first-class importance in the minds of the boys of Ogleport.