"Do you always put your tools in order on rainy days?" he asked.
"Well, yes; I always look over them and see if they need attention. Then
when I want them they are ready for use. Now, since this job is done,
suppose you undertake another. Wouldn't this be a good time to paint
those boxes for Aunt Martha's flowers? You know you promised to paint
them for her, and if you do it now, they'll be good and dry when she
wants to pot her plants in September?"
"I think you believe in preparing for work beforehand, don't you, Uncle
Giles?"
"Yes, indeed, that I do. It saves ever so much time when you have any
work to do to have things all ready. What's the matter, can't you find
the paint brush?"
"No, Uncle, and I'm sure that I saw it in its place not very long ago."
This reminded Uncle Giles that neighbor Jones had borrowed the brush a
few days previous and had not yet returned it.
"He promised to bring it home that day," said Mr. Bates, "but he's not
apt to do things promptly. I guess you'll have to step over to his house
and ask him if he's through with it."
Rufus started off on the errand and soon, returned carrying the brush in
a small tin pail, half-full of water.
"Mr. Jones is much obliged to you for the use of it," he said to his
uncle, "and he's sorry that he hasn't had time to wash out the brush."
Mr. Bates looked rather annoyed. Accustomed to perfect order himself, he
was often irritated by the slovenly ways of his neighbor.
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