Hast thee any money ?" "The groat you gave, that is, paid me; I never take what I don't earn," said the lad, sticking a hand in either poor empty pocket.
"Don't be afraid--I was not going to give thee anything--except, maybe--Would thee like some work ?" "O sir!" "O father!" I hardly know which was the most grateful cry.
Abel Fletcher looked surprised, but on the whole not ill-pleased.
Putting on and pulling down his broad-brimmed hat, he sat meditatively for a minute or so; making circles in the gravel walk with the end of his stick.

People said--nay, Jael herself, once, in a passion, had thrown the fact at me--that the wealthy Friend himself had come to Norton Bury without a shilling in his pocket.
"Well, what work canst thee do, lad ?" "Anything," was the eager answer.
"Anything generally means nothing," sharply said my father; "what hast thee been at all this year ?--The truth, mind!" John's eyes flashed, but a look from mine seemed to set him right again.

He said quietly and respectfully, "Let me think a minute, and I'll tell you.

All spring I was at a farmer's, riding the plough-horses, hoeing turnips; then I went up the hills with some sheep: in June I tried hay-making, and caught a fever--you needn't start, sir, I've been well these six weeks, or I wouldn't have come near your son--then--" "That will do, lad--I'm satisfied." "Thank you, sir." "Thee need not say 'sir'-- it is folly.

I am Abel Fletcher." For my father retained scrupulously the Friend's mode of speech, though he was practically but a lax member of the Society, and had married out of its pale.