Morris slapped his knee with satisfaction, saying:
"Just what I thought, Miss Hannah! which made me the more willing to bring de message. So now if you'll jest take de money an' give me de cloth, I'll be off. I has got some clocks and umberell's to mend to-night. And dat minds me! if you'll give me dat broken coffee-mill o' yourn I'll fix it at de same time," said the professor.
Hannah complied with all his requests, and he took his departure.
He had scarcely got out of sight when Hannah had another visitor, Reuben Gray, who entered the hut with looks of deprecation and words of apology.
"Hannah, woman, I couldn't wait till Sunday! I couldn't rest! Knowing of your situation, I felt as if I must come to you and say what I had on my mind! Do you forgive me?"
"For what?" asked Hannah in surprise.
"For coming afore Sunday."
"Sit down, Reuben, and don't be silly. As well have it over now as any other time."
"Very well, then, Hannah," said the man, drawing a chair to the table at which she sat working, and seating himself.
"Now, then, what have you to say, Reuben?"