But I think the workers should study some , and the students should know how to work if necessary , '' answered Mrs. Jo , looking from Dan to Demi with a significant expression . `` I 'm sure I do work , '' and Demi showed three small hard spots in his little palm , with pride . `` And I 'm sure I study , '' added Dan , nodding with a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures . `` See what James did . He did not mean to be selfish , but his mother was proud of him , and let him do as he liked , working by herself that he might have books and time to read them . One autumn James wanted to go to school , and went to the minister to see if he would help him , about decent clothes and books . Now the minister had heard the gossip about James 's idleness , and was not inclined to do much for him , thinking that a boy who neglected his mother , and let her slave for him , was not likely to do very well even at school . But the good man felt more interested when he found how earnest James was , and being rather an odd man , he made this proposal to the boy , to try now sincere he was . '' ' I will give you clothes and books on one condition , James . ' '' ` What is that , sir ? ' and the boy brightened up at once . '' ` You are to keep your mother 's wood-box full all winter long , and do it yourself . If you fail , school stops . ' James laughed at the queer condition and readily agreed to it , thinking it a very easy one . `` He began school , and for a time got on capitally with the wood-box , for it was autumn , and chips and brushwood were plentiful . He ran out morning and evening and got a basket full , or chopped up the cat sticks for the little cooking stove , and as his mother was careful and saving , the task was not hard . But in November the frost came , the days were dull and cold , and wood went fast . His mother bought a load with her own earnings , but it seemed to melt away , and was nearly gone , before James remembered that he was to get the next . Mrs. Snow was feeble and lame with rheumatism , and unable to work as she had done , so James had to put down the books , and see what he could do . `` It was hard , for he was going on well , and so interested in his lessons that he hated to stop except for food and sleep .
But he knew the minister would keep his word , and much against his will James set about earning money in his spare hours , lest the XXXXX should get empty .
Dan Demi James Jo Snow brushwood days evening morning wood-box