"I don't think you would hurt him much, Jimmy," said Paul, amused at his
little brother's vehemence.

"Then I wish I was a big, strong boy," said Jimmy.

"I hope you will be, some time."

"How much was your loss, Paul?" asked his mother.

"There were nearly forty packages. They cost me about a dollar, but if
I had sold them all they would have brought me in twice as much. I had
only sold ten packages."

"Shall you make some more?"

"No, I think not," said Paul. "I've got tired of the business. It's
getting poorer every day. I'll go out after dinner, and see if I can't
find something else to do."

"You ain't going out now, Paul?" said Jimmy.

"No, I'll stop and see you draw a little while."

"That's bully. I'm going to try these oxen."

"That's a hard picture. I don't think you can draw it, Jimmy."

"Yes, I can," said the little boy, confidently. "Just see if I don't."

"Jimmy has improved a good deal," said his mother.