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Book, page 31 / 462 activity and simplicity, began to ask him several questions; such as who he was, where he lived, what employment he had, and how much a day he earned by gathering fossils. "This is the first day I ever tried," said Jem; "I never sold any yet, and if you don't buy 'em now, ma'am, I'm afraid nobody else will; for I've asked everybody else." "Come, then," said the lady, laughing, "if that is the case, I think I had better buy them all." So, emptying all the fossils out of his basket, she put half a crown into it. Jem's eyes sparkled with joy. "Oh, thank you, ma'am," said he, "I will be sure and bring you as many more, to-morrow." "Yes, but I don't promise you," said she, "to give you half a crown, to- morrow." "But, perhaps, though you don't promise it, you will." "No," said the lady, "do not deceive yourself; I assure you that I will not. THAT, instead of encouraging you to be industrious, would teach you to be idle." Jem did not quite understand what she meant by this, but answered, "I'm sure I don't wish to be idle; what I want is to earn something every day, if I know how; I'm sure I don't wish to be idle. If you knew all, you'd know I did not." "How do you mean, IF I KNEW ALL?" "Why, I mean, if you knew about Lightfoot." "Who's Lightfoot?" "Why, mammy's horse," added Jem, looking out of the window; "I must make haste home, and feed him afore it gets dark; he'll wonder what's gone with me." "Let him wonder a few minutes longer," said the lady, "and tell me the
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