22 BRAGGADOCIO.

me go down into the village, with a basketful
of my nice spinach. I can sell it and buy
some nails, and some tar to caulk the boat.”

“Tar to caulk the boat! What do you
mean by that, Tom ?”

“There will be cracks in my boat which
will need to be filled up, and I must have
some tar and oakum for that. I have found
some pieces of old rope, and to-night we will
pick them up fine for oakum.”

“J have heard of the poor folks in the alms-
house picking oakum, but I never knew what
it meant before,” said Bessie.

“Live and learn, Bessie. It will do no
harm on the kitchen floor, for we can sweep
up afterwards ; so, after supper I will bring in
the ropes, and we will have them picked up in
less than no time.”

“Supper! That reminds me that I must
not be too late again to-night; these chips are
dry and handy.” So saying, Bessie filled her
apron with the chips Tom had cut from the
slabs, and went into the kitchen.

Tom stood looking at the planks he had
been working upon, and muttered to himself,