134 BRAGGADOCIO.

Isle, boy ; ye’re more fit for an Irishman nor
(than) any boy in Yankee land.”

This was the greatest compliment Pat could
pay to any one.

When he had driven off, Tom told Bessie
that he should have to do somewhat as the
man did with the fox, and the goose, and the
corn.

“Which will you carry over first? The
goose! If you leave her, I think the bricks
will not run the same risk of being eaten as
the corn did.”

“You are more like the fox, Bessie. I will
carry you and the lime over first, and come
back for the sand and bricks. Ill put the
lime in my furnace kettle.”

“Furnace kettle!” repeated Bessie, laugh-
ing, as Tom poured the lime into the old iron
pot.

They worked as hard that day as ever two
children did, and at night were perfectly de-
lighted with what they had accomplished.
True, Tom had no trowel to work with, but he
found a shingle which answered the purpose;
and as for the mortar, it was as good as ever