Part 19 (2/2)
There was a little constraint on both sides, which Link relieved by pushi+ng between theood by,” said Jack ”She will need a little looking after, Rufus; see that she doesn't work too hard”
”_You_ are not going to work hard for _us_!” said Rufus, with soone
”That depends,” Vinnie replied ”_You_ can s easy for me, as I am sure you will”
”Of course; just let ht Call on Link or Wad for anything; ness to have his brothers brought into the line of discipline
”They are both helping me now But I find there are no potatoes in the house, and I've been wondering ould get thes them sometimes; but that seems too bad!”
”That's when Wad and Link--there's no need of _her_--I don't believe in girls digging potatoes!” Rufe stammered
”O, but you know,” cried Lill, ”sometio and dig them! I don't care, only it's such hard work!”
Vinnie looked adirl Rufe colored redder than ever, and said,--
”Don't _you_, now, do such a thing! Only let me know in season what's wanted; I'll be after those boys with a sharp stick!”
Vinnie couldn't help laughing
”So, e're going to want a handful of wood, a pail of water, or a basket of potatoes, I ao for the boys, and drive them up with your sharp stick! I don't think I shall like that Wouldn't it be better for you to see that there are always potatoes in the bin, and wood in the box, and other things on hand that you knoill be needed?”
It was perhaps quite as ood sense of this appeal which made it irresistible
”Of course it would be better! I'll get you a basket of potatoes now, and soreen corn, and I'll look out for the water and wood”
”O, thank you!” said Vinnie ”That will s so much easier and pleasanter for all of us!”
The potatoes and corn were got with a cheerful alacrity which quite astonished Rufe'sthus overcome, that well-known property of matter tended to keep Rufus still inthe dinner ready, hethe wood-pile with an eye to business
”See here, Wad! This wood is pretty dry now; don't you think it had better be cut up and got in before there coood idea”
”We ought to be asha for a handful of wood every ti out to hack a little for herself, if we're not around; for she'll do it”
”I s'pose so,” Wad assented ”Why don't you go to work and cut it up?
I'll sit down on a log and whittle, and keep you coo to work at it if you will Come!