Part 12 (1/2)
During that meal Willie devoted himself to a silent waiting upon her, watching and trying to antic.i.p.ate her every want. When she had eaten a little bread and b.u.t.ter and an egg, and drunk two cups of tea, she lay back in her own easy chair, which had been placed for her by the side of the parlour fire, and fell fast asleep for ten minutes, breathing so gently that Willie got frightened, and thought she was dead. But all at once she opened her eyes wide, and made a sign to him to come to her.
”Sit down there,” she said, pus.h.i.+ng a little footstool towards him.
Willie obeyed, and sat looking up in her face.
”So,” she said, ”you're the little man that can do everything?”
”No, grannie,” answered Willie, laughing. ”I wish I could; but I am only learning to do a few things; and there's not one of them I can do right yet.”
”Do you know what they call you?”
”The boys at school call me Six-fingered Jack,” said Willie.
”There!” said his grandmother. ”I told you so.”
”I'm glad it's only a nickname, grannie; but if it weren't, it would soon be one, for I'm certain the finger that came after the little one would be so much in the way it would soon get cut off.”
”Anyhow, supposing you only half as clever a fellow as you pa.s.s for, I want to try you. Have you any objection to service? I should like to hire you for my servant--my own special servant, you understand.”
”All right, grannie; here I am!” cried Willie, jumping up. ”What shall I do first?”
”Sit down again instantly, and wait till we've finished the bargain. I must first have you understand that though I don't want to be hard upon you, you must come when I call you, and do what I tell you.”
”Of course, grannie. Only I can't when I'm at school, you know.”
”I don't want to be told that. And I'm not going to be a tyrant. But I had no idea you were such a silly! For all your cleverness, you've positively never asked me what wages I would give you.”
”Oh! I don't want any wages, grannie. I _like_ to do things for people; and you're my very own grandmother, besides, you know.”
”Well, I suppose I must settle your wages for you. I mean to pay you by the job. It's an odd arrangement for a servant, but it will suit me best. And as you don't ask any, I needn't pay you more than I like myself.”
”Certainly not, grannie. I'm quite satisfied.”
”Meantime, no engagement of a servant ought to be counted complete without earnest.”
”I'm quite in earnest, grannie,” said Willie, who did not know the meaning of the word as his new mistress used it. They all laughed.
”I don't see what's funny,” said Willie, laughing too, however.
But when they explained to him what _earnest_ meant, then he laughed with understanding, as well as with good will.
”So,” his grandmother went on, ”I will give you earnest, which, you know, binds you my servant. But for how long, Willie?”
”Till you're tired of me, grannie. Only, you know, I'm papa and mamma's servant first, and you may have to arrange with them sometimes; for what should I do if you were all to want me at once?”
”We'll easily manage that. I'll arrange with them, as you say. And now, here's your earnest.”
As she spoke, she put into his hand what Willie took to be a s.h.i.+lling.