"Yes, miss; soon's ever I gets the time. See, I've got a well to dig at

Colonel Mervin's, and a chimney to build at Major Blackistone's, and a

hearth to lay at Commodore Burgh's, and a roof to put over old Mrs.

Jones'; and see, that will take me all the rest of the week," objected

Jem.

"But can't you take the things home with you and do them at night?"

inquired Hannah.

"Yes, miss; but you see there's only three nights more this week, and I

am engaged for all! To-night I've got to go and sit up long of old Jem

Brown's corpse, and to-morrow night to play the fiddle at Miss Polly

Hodges' wedding, and the next night I promised to be a waiter at the

college ball, and even Sunday night aint free, 'cause our preacher is

sick and I've been invited to take his place and read a sermon and lead

the prayer! So you see I couldn't possibly mend the coffee-mill and the

rest till some time next week, nohow!"

"I tell you what, Morris, you have the monopoly of your line of business

in this neighborhood, and so you put on airs and make people wait. I

wish to goodness we could induce some other professor of odd jobs to

come and settle among us," said Nora archly.

"Yes, miss; I wish I could, for I am pretty nearly run offen my feet,"

Jem agreed. "But what I was wishing to say to you, miss," he added, "was

that the madam sent me here with a message to you."

"Who sent a message, Jem?"

"The madam up yonder, miss."

"Oh! you mean Mrs. Brudenell! It was to Hannah, I suppose, in relation

to work," said Nora.

"Yes, miss; but this time it was not to Miss Hannah; it was to you, Miss

Nora. 'Go up to the hut on the hill, and request Nora Worth to come up

to see me this evening. I wish to have a talk with her?' Such were the

madam's words, Miss Nora."

"Oh, Hannah!" breathed Nora, in terror.

"What can she want with my sister?" inquired Hannah.

"Well, yes, miss. She didn't say any further. And now, ladies, as I have

declared my message, I must bid you good evening; as they expects me

round to old uncle Jem Brown's to watch to-night." And with a deep bow

the professor retired.

"Oh, Hannah!" wailed Nora, hiding her head in her sister's bosom.




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