Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville
But I'll be honest with you. The price I offer
is a good deal less than I'd have to pay in the city--Hutchinson would
charge me five hundred, at least--and I need just what you've got to
sell. What do you say, Miss Ethel?"
"The price is one hundred dollars, Mr. Merrick."
"I won't pay it. Let me talk with your grandmother."
"She does not see anyone, sir."
Louise looked up sharply, scenting another clue.
"Isn't she well, dear?" she asked in smooth tones.
"She looks after grandfather, and helps Aunt Lucy with the housework."
"Well, come, Louise; we'll go home," said Uncle John, sadly. "I'd hoped
to be able to drive this fine fellow back, but Dan'll have to groan an'
balk all the way to the farm."
Ethel smiled.
"Better buy at my price, Mr. Merrick," she suggested.
"Tell you what I'll do," he said, pausing. "I'll split the difference.
Take two hundred and well call it a bargain."
"But I cannot do that, sir."
"It will help pay you for the hard work of fixing up the house," he
rejoined, pleadingly. "Your bill wasn't half enough."
"My bill?" wonderingly.
"The one I paid McNutt for your services."
"I made no charge, sir. I could not accept anything for a bit of
assistance to a neighbor."
"Oh! Then McNutt got it, did he?"
"I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Merrick. I told Peggy I would not accept
payment."
"H-m. Never mind. We're not going to quarrel, little neighbor. May I
hitch Joe to the surrey?"
"If you like. I'll help you."
Uncle John led Joe from his stall and together they harnessed the horse
to the surrey. The girl knew better than the man how to buckle the
straps properly, while Louise stood by helplessly and watched the
performance.
Then Uncle John went for old Dan, whom he led, rickety buggy and all,
into the Thompson stable.
"I'll send Hucks over to get him, although we might as well knock him in
the head," he said as he unharnessed the ancient steed. "Now then,
Louise, hop in."
"You'll be sure to come over Thursday, for the day, Miss Thompson?"
asked Louise, taking Joe's reins from her uncle's hands.
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There was once a king who was very powerful. He had great influence over the wild beasts and animals. Now the tortoise was looked upon as the wisest of all beasts and men. This king had a son named Ekpenyon, to whom he gave fifty young girls as wives, but the prince did not like any of them. The king was very angry at this, and made a law that if any man had a daughter who was finer than the prince's wives, and who found favour in his son's eyes, the girl herself and her father and mother should be killed.
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