I am afraid that I shall not be able to do it all alone.
Would you mind stopping long enough to wash the dishes and clean up the
kitchen for me?'
"Alfred began to pout, but his mother continued, 'I really wish you were
not going fishing today. Your father will be away all day; and I would
rather not be left alone, for I do not feel as well as usual. But I will
not keep you, if you will wash the dishes before you go.'
"'Now, Mother,' said Alfred angrily, 'why do you ask me to do that, when
you know I want to get started early? If I have to wait half the day, I
don't care to go at all.'
"Just then the bee began to buzz about Alfred's ears. 'Help your mother!
Help your mother!' it said. But Alfred did not pay any attention. 'Let
the dishes go,' he cried. 'I don't care whether they are ever washed or
not.' And picking up the lunch which his mother had packed so nicely for
him, he started toward the creek. He did not even look back to say 'good
-by.'
"The boys found fishing very good that day. They caught a fine string
of trout, ate their lunch, and in the middle of the afternoon were ready
to start for home. Alfred was much pleased with their catch, and on the
way home he said over and over, 'Won't Mother be glad we went fishing
today, when she sees our string of trout? She is so fond of trout.
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