"Wai, yis, the deacon is," exclaimed Biah, turning contemplatively to thefarmhouse; "there ain't a crittur in that are house that there ain't themost work got out of 'em that ken be, down to Jed and Sam, the littleuns. They work like tigers, every soul of 'em, from four o'clock in shemorning' as long as they can see, and Mis' Pitkin she works all theevening--woman's work ain't never done, they say."

"She's a good woman, Mis' Pitkin is," said Abner, "and she's a smartworker."

In this phrase Abner solemnly expressed his highest ideal of a humanbeing.