It's a long time since we've had a fish." "Nay; don't ask me," was the reply.

"I wean't leave the work.

Ay, bud it's nice to be a boy," he added, with a smile.
"Couldn't you do your work afterward ?" cried Tom.
"Nay, nay, don't tempt a poor weak fellow," he cried.

"I'm going to do that bit o' sawing 'fore I leave it.

Now, theer, in wi' you!" The boys made another appeal to the great fellow to come; but he was staunch.