Part 3 (1/2)
”_Oh_, a little Latin and history of the United States! I could pa.s.s on that _now_, I guess. And I've got through the first three books of Euclid, and in Algebra I got through quadratic equations.”
She had spoken in a cool, indifferent way, but his eyes sparkled as he looked up.
”Well done, Jabez! I am glad. I must examine you some day.”
”Come on!” cried Jabez, throwing down the hoe he had been carrying.
”I'm ready. Examine all you want to.”
”Oh, I don't mean just this minute, but some time before I go! How is your grandmother these days?”
”She's pretty well. And that makes me think that I promised her to help churn; I'll have to be going. I came up to talk a little to Miss Eunice and you about the garden. I don't suppose she'll do much in it this year, since you won't be here.”
”I shall help to make it while I am at home, if the weather will let me.
But your help will be needed after. Come and speak to my sister.”
They went into the house, and found Eunice preparing to make the bread which she had mixed early in the morning. Fidelia set the rocking-chair for her sister, and took the making of the bread into her own hands.
”About the garden, Miss Eunice? What are you going to do about it?”
said Jabez.
”I shall want some help, I suppose--a good deal of help. Can I depend on you, Jabez?”
”Well, I've been talking a little with grandpa about what I want to do this summer. He wants me to work along with Mr Grimes for a spell.
You know, Fidelia, Grimes has got grandpa's farm on shares this year, and he would like to hire me.”
”Well, and why not?”
”I can do better--that's about it.”
”And what do you wish to do?”
”Well, that's just what I want to talk about.”
”I shall be glad to have your help when you can be spared,” said Eunice.
Jabez seemed to have a difficulty in sitting quietly in his chair. He fidgeted about, and let his hoe fall, and then picked it up and carried it out into the porch; then laid his cap on the floor, and straightened himself up, and said gravely,--
”Look here, Miss Eunice, I guess it won't hurt anybody just to have a little talk about it. I want you to let me have your garden this summer--on shares if you say so; but I'd rather pay rent for it.”
”Why, Jabez, you surprise me!” said Eunice gently.
Fidelia laughed.
”Go on, Jabez. Tell us all about it.”
”Well, I will. In the first place, I want to show grandpa that I _can_ do something; and, in the second place, I want to make some money this summer. I think I see my way clear to do both, if things happen right.”
”And what do you want money for?” asked Fidelia.