easy to be
brought to constant and daily work, except by degrees, and by the means
which I propose.--Here we are," continued Humphrey, throwing his axe and
billhook down, and proceeding to take off his doublet: "now for an hour
or two's fulfilment of the sentence of our first parents--to wit, `the
sweat of the brow.'"

Edward followed Humphrey's example in taking off his doublet; they
selected the long thin trees most fitted for rails, and were hard at
work when Pablo came up to them. More than a dozen trees had fallen,
and lay one upon the other, before they stopped a while to recover
themselves a little.

"Well, Pablo," said Humphrey, wiping his forehead, "I suppose you think
looking on better than cutting down trees; and so it is."

"What cut down trees for?"

"To make posts and rails to fence in more ground. I shall not leave the
boughs on."

"No, cut them off by and by, and then put poles on the cart and carry
them home."

Edward and Humphrey then recommenced their labour, and worked for
another half-hour, when they paused to recover their wind.

"Hard work, Pablo," said Humphrey.

"Yes, very hard work; Pablo not strong enough."

"Oh no, you are not able to do anything of this kind, I know. No work
this for gipsies; they take birds' nests and catch rabbits."

"Yes," replied Pablo, nodding; "and you eat them."

"So he does, Pablo," said Edward; "so you are useful in your way; for if
he had nothing to eat he would not be able to work. Strong man cut down
trees, weak man catch rabbits."

"Both good," said Pablo.

"Yes, but strong man like work; not strong man not like work, Pablo. So
now look on again, for we must have another spell."

"Strong man cut down trees, not strong man cut off branches," said
Pablo, taking up the billhook and setting to work to cut off the boughs,
which he did with great dexterity and rapidity.

Edward and Humphrey exchanged glances and smiles, and then worked away
in silence till it was, as they supposed, dinner-time. They were not
wrong in their supposition, although they had no other clock than their
appetites, which, however, tell the time pretty correctly to those who
work hard. Alice had the platters on the table, and was looking out to
see if they were coming.

"Why, Pablo, have you been at work?" said Edith.

"Yes, little missy--work all the morning."

"Indeed he has, and has worked very well, and been very useful," said
Edward.

"It has given you an a