A GOOD DAY’S WORK. 23

“ A yrough-looking craft this will be. The
edges where I’ve used the saw do quite well,
but where I’ve chipped off the bark the planks
are as rough as a corduroy road.”

While he was thus musing and muttering,
Bran Mixon came home. As usual, he stopped
at the well to wash himself, though it would
seem as if the rain might have done him that
kind office, for it was pouring down in tor-
rents.

“Well, Tom,” said he, as he scrubbed his
hands, “ how do you come on with the scow ?”

“'The boat, father—call it a boat. Not quite
as well as I should wish ; it’s a mighty rough
affair.” :

Bessie now opened the door, and said,
“Come in, father—come in; here is a towel
and some dry clothes.” And, to be sure, the
thoughtful little girl had got out a complete
suit of clothes, and laid them in his bed-room,
that her father might take off his wet garments
immediately.

“Pm as wet as a drown’d rat,” said he ;
‘and well it is for me that I have somebody at
home to think about my comfort.”