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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

"It's the secrecy of the thing that astounds me most, sir," he added.

"If all was open and above board, I'd think little enough of it."

Uncle John's kindly interest was at once aroused, and he proposed that

they go directly to the cabin and interview the man in hiding. Hucks

being at the time busy in the barn, the two men sauntered into the berry

patch without being observed, and then walked briskly along the winding

paths until they sighted the building.

Pausing at the window, they saw the man still reclining upon his cot,

and holding in his left hand a book--one of Patsy's, the Major

observed--which he was quietly engaged in reading. Then they moved

around to the door, which Uncle John pushed open.

Without hesitation, the two men entered and stood gazing down upon the

strange occupant of the place.

"Good morning," said Mr. Merrick, while the Major nodded a greeting.

The man half arose, moving stiffly.

"Pardon me, sirs," he said, rather startled at the interruption; "I

regret that I am physically unable to receive you with more courtesy."

The Major gazed into the partially bandaged face with a glimmer of

awakening recognition.

"H-m! Ha! If I'm not mistaken," said he, "it's Joseph Wegg."

"Oh; is it?" asked Uncle John, looking upon the young man curiously.

"What's happened to you, Joseph?"

"Just an automobile accident, sir. The steering gear broke, and we went

over an embankment."

"I see."

"Are you Mr. Merrick, sir."

"Yes."

"I owe you an apology for intruding upon your premises in this way, and

beg you to forgive the seeming impertinence. But I've been rather

unlucky of late, sir, and without this refuge I don't know what would

have become of me. I will explain, if you will permit me."

Uncle John nodded.

"After I had squandered the money you paid me, through Major Doyle, for

this farm, in a vain endeavor to protect a patent I had secured, I was

forced to become a chauffeur to earn my livelihood. I understand

automobiles, you know, and obtained employment with a wealthy man who

considered me a mere part of his machine.

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