CHAPTER XII.
IN WHICH JIM ENLARGES HIS PLANS FOR A HOUSE, AND COMPLETES HIS PLANS FOR A HOUSE-KEEPER.
When, at last, Jim and Mr.Benedict were left alone by the departure of Mr.Balfour and the two lads, they sat as if they had been stranded by a sudden squall after a long and pleasant voyage.

Mr.Benedict was plunged into profound dejection, and Jim saw that he must be at once and persistently diverted.
"I telled Mr.Balfour," said he, "afore he went away, about the house.

I telled him about the stoop, an' the chairs, an' the ladder for posies to run up on, an' I said somethin' about cubberds and settles, an' other thingembobs that have come into my mind; an' says he: 'Jim, be ye goin' to splice ?' An' says I: 'If so be I can find a little stick as'll answer, it wouldn't be strange if I did.' 'Well,' says he, 'now's yer time, if ye're ever goin' to, for the hay-day of your life is a passin' away.' An' says I: 'No, ye don't.

My hay-day has jest come, and my grass is dry an' it'll keep.

It's good for fodder, an' it wouldn't make a bad bed.'" "What did he say to that ?" inquired Mr.Benedict.
"Says he: 'I shouldn't wonder if ye was right.