there was nothing in his fist but a parcel of old rags . '' `` Hold your tongue , you silly old Tabby ! '' cried Peter , in great wrath . `` They were as good golden guineas as ever bore the effigies of the king of England . It seems as if I could recollect the whole circumstance , and how I , or old Peter , or whoever it was , thrust in my hand , or his hand , and drew it out all of a blaze with gold . Old rags indeed ! '' But it was not an old woman 's legend that would discourage Peter Goldthwaite . All night long he slept among pleasant dreams , and awoke at daylight with a joyous throb of the heart which few are fortunate enough to feel beyond their boyhood . Day after day he labored hard without wasting a moment except at meal-times , when Tabitha summoned him to the pork and cabbage , or such other sustenance as she had picked up or Providence had sent them . Being a truly pious man , Peter never failed to ask a blessing -- if the food were none of the best , then so much the more earnestly , as it was more needed -- nor to return thanks , if the dinner had been scanty , yet for the good appetite which was better than a sick stomach at a feast . Then did he hurry back to his toil , and in a moment was lost to sight in a cloud of dust from the old walls , though sufficiently perceptible to the ear by the clatter which he raised in the midst of it . How enviable is the consciousness of being usefully employed ! Nothing troubled Peter , or nothing but those phantoms of the mind which seem like vague recollections , yet have also the aspect of presentiments . He often paused with his axe uplifted in the air , and said to himself , `` Peter Goldthwaite , did you never strike this blow before ? '' or `` Peter , what need of tearing the whole house down ? Think a little while , and you will remember where the gold is hidden . '' Days and weeks passed on , however , without any remarkable discovery . Sometimes , indeed , a lean gray rat peeped forth at the lean gray man , wondering what devil had got into the old house , which had always been so peaceable till now . And occasionally Peter sympathized with the sorrows of a female mouse who had brought five or six pretty , little , soft and delicate young ones into the world just in time to see them crushed by its ruin . But as yet no treasure .
By this time , XXXXX , being as determined as fate and as diligent as time , had made an end with the uppermost regions and got down to the second story , where he was busy in one of the front chambers .
Days Goldthwaite Peter Providence Tabby Tabitha effigies phantoms throb weeks