He took me upon an excursion one day with some of my companions who attended school, and great relief was experienced by my parents when one day soon afterward I came and asked for permission to go to Mr.Martin's school.[8] I need not say the permission was duly granted.

I had then entered upon my eighth year, which subsequent experience leads me to say is quite early enough for any child to begin attending school.
[Footnote 8: It was known as Rolland School.] The school was a perfect delight to me, and if anything occurred which prevented my attendance I was unhappy.

This happened every now and then because my morning duty was to bring water from the well at the head of Moodie Street.

The supply was scanty and irregular.

Sometimes it was not allowed to run until late in the morning and a score of old wives were sitting around, the turn of each having been previously secured through the night by placing a worthless can in the line.
This, as might be expected, led to numerous contentions in which I would not be put down even by these venerable old dames.