Juno went to the water-tub to comply with William’s request, and in a few moments afterwards came back in great consternation.
“Oh, Massa! oh, Missy! no water; water all gone!”
“Water all gone!” cried Ready and all of them in a breath.
“Yes; not one little drop in the cask.”
“I filled it up to the top!” exclaimed Ready very gravely; “the tub did not leak, that I am sure of; how can this have happened?”
“Missy, I tink I know now,” said Juno; “you remember you send Massa Tommy, the two or three days we wash, to fetch water from the well in little bucket. You know how soon he come back, and how you say what good boy he was, and how you tell Massa Seagrave when he come to dinner. Now, Missy, I quite certain Massa Tommy no take trouble go to well, but fetch water from tub all the while, and so he empty it.”
“I’m afraid you’re right, Juno,” replied Mrs Seagrave. “What shall we do?”
“I go speak Massa Tommy,” said Juno, running to the house.
“This is a very awkward thing, Mr Seagrave,” observed Ready gravely.
Mr Seagrave shook his head.