42 History of Gutta-Percha Willie.

What he thought about his trade and some other
things we shall see by and by.

When Willie entered his room, he greeted him
with a very friendly nod; for not only was he fond
of children, but he had a special favour for Willie,
chiefly because he considered himself greatly in-
debted to him for something he had said to Mrs
Wilson, and which had given him a good deal to
think about. For Mrs Wilson often had a chat
with Hector, and then she would not unfrequently
talk about Willie, of whose friendship she was
proud. She had told him of the strange question
he had put to her as to whether God worked, and
the shoemaker, thinking over it, had come to the
same conclusion as Willie’s father, and it had been
a great comfort and help to him.

“What can I do for you to-day, Willie?” he
said ; for in that part of the country they do not
say Master and Miss. “You look,” he added, “as
if you wanted something.” ,

“TI want you to teach me, please,” answered
Willie.

“To teach you what?” asked Hector.

“To make shoes, please,” answered Willie,

“Ah! but do you think that would be prudent
of me? Don’t you see, if I were to teach you to
make shoes, people would be coming to you to make
their shoes for them, and what would become of
me then?”