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"The place'll do, I reckon," admitted Uncle Josh. "But farmin' ain't what it was. It's a hard job gettin' meat an' drink out o'd now-a-days." "Mamma told us you were rich," said Tom in surprise. "But you can't be, because because " "Wal?" said Uncle Josh, with a slow, stupid smile. "Because your horses are all thin, and you wear these clothes; and Aunt Hepsy doesn't dress like a lady.
"I think you will have to take a little stick, Hepsy," said Mrs. Lee, smiling, "and whip him when he does mischief." "Indeed, ma'am, and it's little strength I'd have left me to do the cooking if I gave him half the whippings he deserves; besides, I'd be sure to get the cratur's ill will; and they say that's unlucky for any one."
Had he a right to spoil his life, to belittle his soul, for any consideration? If Hepsy Ann Nickerson had claims, had not he also, and his Art? If he were willing, in this dire extremity, to sacrifice his love, his prospects of married bliss, might he not justly require the same of her? Was not Art his mistress?
I can see her now, picking out the biggest piece of candy in the dish that she could afford to give for a little fellow's cent. It never came over me until lately how much good that old woman did in the world. I remember what a comfort it was to go and talk with her. Well, I am getting into a frame of mind to want to be an Aunt Hepsy.
Jean tucked her gun under her pillow, laughed to herself for having shuddered under the blankets at the sound of a man so easily put to flight, and went to sleep feeling quite secure and for the first time really glad that Hepsibah Atwood was in the house. She listened the next morning to Hepsy's colorful account of the affair, but she did not tell Hepsy that the man had been there before.
Then she sprang to her feet, whisked the letter into the table drawer, and fetching out baking-board and flour-basin, proceeded to make dough for a supper cake. It was barely ready when her brother came in at six, and he looked slightly surprised to see no signs of the supper on the table. "I've had a letter from Newhaven, Josh," Miss Hepsy said abruptly.
And from that decision no persuasion could induce Lucy to depart she was firm as a rock; but Aunt Hepsy made a little private arrangement of her own, which was to be kept a profound secret from the bride-elect. Judge Keane travelled to New York the day before Christmas with a young lady under his care; and when the pair were ushered into Dr.
"He wants to see you and your brother, I think, on a little business." Miss Hepsy elevated her eyebrows, and shook hands with Mr. Keane in silence. "Josh is in the barn. I s'pose I'd better send for him," she said. And Mr. Keane answered courteously "If you please." She opened the door and called to Lucy to run to the barn for her uncle.
She lifted her hand and brought it with full force on Tom's cheek. He sprang to his feet quivering with rage, and pain, and humiliation. His fierce temper was up, and Lucy trembled for what was to follow. "Next time you make a fool o' me, boy," said Aunt Hepsy with a slow smile, "perhaps ye'll get summat ye'll like even less than that." Then the boy's anger found vent in words.
Captain Elijah Nickerson, Hepsy Ann's father, was master and owner of the good schooner "Miranda," in which excellent, but rather strongly scented vessel, he generally made yearly two trips to the Newfoundland Banks, to draw thence his regular income; and it is to be remarked, that his drafts, presented in person, were never dishonored in that foggy region.
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