Joey went back to Spikeman and reported progress.
“That’s all I wish, Joey,” said Spikeman; “now you must not go there to-morrow; we must let it work a little; if she is at all interested in the letter, she will be impatient to know more.”
Spikeman was right. Melissa looked up and down the road very often during the next day, and was rather silent during the evening. The second day after, Joey, having received his instructions, set off, with his knife-grinder’s wheel, for the mansion-house. When he went round the copse where the bench was, he found Miss Mathews there.
“I beg your pardon, miss, but do you think there is any work at the house?”
“Come here, sir,” said Melissa, assuming a very dignified air.
“Yes, miss,” said Joey, walking slowly to her.
“Now, tell me the truth, and I will reward you with half-a-crown.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Did you not put this letter in my book the day before yesterday?”
“Letter, miss! what letter?”