Мхи старої садиби

           Anonhedrewawhite-hotbarofironfromthecoals,laiditontheanvil,upliftedhisarmofmight,andwassoonenvelopedinthemyriadsofsparkswhichthestrokesofhishammerscatteredintothesurroundinggloom.

           "Now,thatisapleasantsight,"saidtheoldwatchmaker."Iknowwhatitistoworkingold;butgivemetheworkerinironafterallissaidanddone.Hespendshislaboruponareality.Whatsayyou,daughterAnnie?"

           "Praydon’tspeaksoloud,father,"whisperedAnnie,"RobertDanforthwillhearyou."

           "Andwhatifheshouldhearme?"saidPeterHovenden."Isayagain,itisagoodandawholesomethingtodependuponmainstrengthandreality,andtoearnone’sbreadwiththebareandbrawnyarmofablacksmith.Awatchmakergetshisbrainpuzzledbyhiswheelswithinawheel,orloseshishealthorthenicetyofhiseyesight,aswasmycase,andfindshimselfatmiddleage,oralittleafter,pastlaborathisowntradeandfitfornothingelse,yettoopoortoliveathisease.SoIsayonceagain,givememainstrengthformymoney.Andthen,howittakesthenonsenseoutofaman!DidyoueverhearofablacksmithbeingsuchafoolasOwenWarlandyonder?"

           "Wellsaid,uncleHovenden!"shoutedRobertDanforthfromtheforge,inafull,deep,merryvoice,thatmadetheroofre-echo."AndwhatsaysMissAnnietothatdoctrine?She,Isuppose,willthinkitagenteelerbusinesstotinkerupalady’swatchthantoforgeahorseshoeormakeagridiron."

           Anniedrewherfatheronwardwithoutgivinghimtimeforreply.