"Jube no want wages," said the negro, "only wants to live near little masser."
"Yes, that is all," added Paul.
"We certainly cannot have the man," Mrs. Prior said to her husband.
"That is out of the question," he replied.
"But what can we do?"
"Settle it yourself, Mrs. Prior; your decision is sure to be a correct and wise one."
With these complimentary words, the minister helped himself out of his difficulty by leaving the room.
Mrs. Prior looked at the friends in great trouble; but little Paul approached her chair and put his arms about her neck; Rose clung to her hand and added her entreaties; while Jube gazed at her with his great, honest eyes.
The result of all this affair was, that Jube insisted on making himself so agreeable, and began at once to demonstrate his powers of usefulness so acceptably that there was really no turning him out of doors.
The good fellow had some mechanical genius, and exerted it to the delight of little Rose in furnishing her play-house, and building sleds and wagons for Paul, large enough for her to ride in. Then, Jube made such a splendid horse, and never got tired of carrying her or drawing the little sled on which she rode. When she expressed a wish to ride on horseback, Jube lifted her to his broad shoulders, or put out his foot, which instantly swung itself into full canter, and away she went, rushing off to "Canterbury Cross" in high glee.