"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.