The next day he meant to go out in search of employment.

When his mother got back she found him cutting some brush which he had obtained from the neighboring woods.
"There, mother," he said, pointing to a considerable pile, "you'll have enough sticks to last you a good while." "Thank you, Andy, dear.

That'll save Mary and me a good deal of trouble." There was nothing in her words, but something in her tone, which led Andy to ask: "What's the matter, mother?
Has anything happened ?" "I've got through working for Mrs.Preston, Andy." "Got through?
For to-day, you mean ?" "No; I'm not going to work there again." "Why not ?" "She complained of you, Andy." "What did she say, mother ?" asked our hero, listening with attention.
"She said you ought not to have struck Godfrey." "Did you tell her he struck me first ?" "Yes, I did." "And what did she say, thin ?" "She said that you ought not to have struck him back." "And what did you say, mother ?" "I said my Andy wasn't the boy to stand still and let anybody beat him." "Good for you, mother! Bully for you! That's where you hit the nail on the head.

And what did the ould lady say then ?" "She told me I needn't come there again to work." "I'm glad you're not goin', mother.

I don't want you to work for the likes of her.