CHAPTER II.
A quiet smile played round his lips, As the eddies and dimples of the tide Play round the bows of ships, That steadily at anchor ride.
And with a voice that was full of glee, He answered, "ere long we will launch A vessel as goodly, and strong, and staunch, As ever weathered a wintry sea!" LONGFELLOW.
"The ploughing's all done; thank fortune!" exclaimed Rufus as he came into the kitchen.
"Well, don't leave your hat there in the middle of the floor," said his mother.
"Yes, it just missed knocking the tea-cups and saucers off the table," said little Asahel.
"It hasn't missed knocking you off your balance," said his brother tartly.

"Do you know where your own hat is ?" "It hain't knocked me off anything!" said Asahel.

"It didn't touch me!" "Do you know where your own hat is ?" "No." "What does it matter, Will ?" said his mother.
"It's hanging out of doors, on the handle of the grindstone." "It ain't!" "Yes it is; -- on the grindstone." "No it isn't," said Winthrop coming in, "for I've got it here.
There -- see to it, Asahel.

Mamma, papa's come.

We've done ploughing." And down went his hat, but not on the floor.
"Look at Winifred, Governor -- she has been calling for you all day." The boy turned to a flaxen-haired, rosy-cheeked, little toddling thing of three or four years old, at his feet, and took her up, to the perfect satisfaction of both parties.