Mr.Pitcairn and his wife insisted upon sharing a part of the expense; and the youth could not refuse them, though he would not permit it to be more than a trifle as compared with his own.

The placing of the shaft has led me to anticipate events somewhat.
Tom Gordon was approaching young manhood.

He was a tall, sturdy boy, with a fair education, and it was high time that he set to work at the serious business of life.

Providence had ordered that he should pass through more than one stirring experience.

He had knocked about the world a good deal more than falls to the lot of most lads of his age, and had acquired valuable knowledge.