such a blame fool I'd 'a' known what the matter was in the first place," he remarked.  "Well, if we knew as much when we're born as we do when we get ready to die, what would be the use of livin' seventy odd years?" 

 In spite of his irritation Zenas Henry smiled. 

 "I don't s'pose you're feelin' like tacklin' another pump to-day," he ventured with hesitation.  "Ours up at the white cottage has gone on a strike, too." 

 Instantly Willie was interested. 

 "What's got yours?" he asked. 

 "Blest if I know. We've took it all to pieces an' ain't found nothin' out with it, an' now to save our souls we can't put it together again," Zenas Henry explained.  "I drove round, thinkin' that mebbe you'd go back with me an' have a look at it." 

 "Course I will, Zenas Henry," Willie said without hesitation.  "I'd admire to. A pump that won't work is like a fishline without a hook—good for nothin'. Have you got room in your team for Jan, too?" 

 "Sure." 

 "Then let's start along," said the inventor, stooping to gather up his tools. 

 But he had reckoned without his host, for as he swept them into a jagged piece of sailcloth and prepared to tie up the bundle, Celestina called to him from the window. 

 "Where you goin', Willie?" she demanded. 

 "Up to Zenas Henry's to mend the pump." 

 "But you can't go now," objected she.  "It's ten o'clock, an' you ain't had a mouthful of breakfast this mornin'." 

 The little man regarded her blankly. 

 "Ain't I et nothin'?" he inquired with surprise. 

 "No. Don't you remember you got up early to go fishin', an' then you found the pump wasn't workin', an' you've been wrestlin' with it ever since." 

 "So I have!" 

 A sunny smile of recollection overspread the old man's face. 

 "Ain't you hungry?" 

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