"It costs too much." "Why, Mr. Howe, I should need ten machines. I should never get my money back." Jonathan was sorry for Mr. Howe. "I'll buy a machine some day," he announced. "Thank you, little boy," answered Mr. Howe. "I've no doubt you will." But the tailors laughed and shook their heads. Before they left the workshop, Jonathan's party had a long talk with Mr. Howe. "We are from the country," they said, "with no money to buy a machine of this sort. But we are interested in it, and we believe it has a future. Will thee tell us more about it?" "Gladly," said Mr. Howe. "I've been at work on the machine most of the time for the last five years--ever since I was twenty-one, in fact. I was born up in Worcester County, in Spencer. When I was eleven, I was bound out to a farmer, but I liked machinery better. I went to Lowell as soon as my parents were willing, and worked a while in a cotton mill. But I did not like that very well, it was so monotonous, and I came down here to work for Mr. Davis in Cornhill. One day a man who was trying to construct a knitting machine came in to see if Mr. Davis could make him a suggestion. But Davis really made the suggestion to me. 'Why don't you make a sewing machine?' he asked. "'I wish I could,' the man answered, 'but it can't be done.' "'Oh, yes,' cried Davis, 'I could make one myself.' "'Well,' was the rejoinder, 'you do it, Davis, and I'll insure you an independent fortune.' [Illustration: LOCK STITCH (above) AND CHAIN STITCH (below) The lock stitch is made with two threads, and the chain stitch with one.] "Now I don't know that Davis or the other man has thought of the matter since. As for me, I've thought of little else. A year ago last October I had planned out the chief parts of the machine--the two threads, the curved, eye-pointed needle, and the shuttle. A rough model that I made convinced me that such a machine would work; and last December I prevailed upon my friend, Mr. Fisher of Cambridgeport, to let me, with my wife and children, live at his house and construct my machine in his garret. He gave me five hundred dollars besides for material. In return for those favors, I've agreed to give Fisher half my profits. But," he added rather gloomily, "so far it's been a bad bargain for Fisher." "Is the machine patented?" inquired Uncle William. "Not yet," answered Mr. Howe. "I need some money first, for, you know, I shall have to make a model to deposit at Washington." The Wheelers thanked Mr. Howe for his kindness in satisfying their curiosity and wished him all good fortune. "Sometime," added Jonathan's father, "I expect thy machine will find its way into homes as well as into shops." "Indeed, Mr. Howe," added Mrs. Wheeler, "it would be the greatest boon the farmer's wife could ask."