said Demi , anxious that no time should be lost . `` I really have nothing but a little tale about a wood-box , '' said Mrs. Jo , seeing that Rob had still seven corns to eat . `` Is there a boy in it ? '' `` It is all boy . '' `` Is it true ? '' asked Demi . `` Every bit of it . '' `` Goody ! tell on , please . '' `` James Snow and his mother lived in a little house , up in New Hampshire . They were poor , and James had to work to help his mother , but he loved books so well he hated work , and just wanted to sit and study all day long . '' `` How could he ! I hate books , and like work , '' said Dan , objecting to James at the very outset . `` It takes all sorts of people to make a world ; workers and students both are needed , and there is room for all . 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 XXXXX her slave for him , was not likely to do very well even at school .
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