"Well, I am glad that Thomas went. I stopped to see if Jehosaphat could do a little errand for me—I might have sent one of my own men, but I forget matters sometimes."
"You will find him at the barn," replied Mistress
Putnam, a little anxious to cut short the conversation, as she wished to get ready for her ride to Salem.
Going to the barn, Master Joseph soon found Jehosaphat. "How do, Fatty!" this was the not very dignified diminutive into which Jehosaphat had dwindled in common use. "How are you getting along?"
"Fair to middlin, sir. Not as well though as on the old place, Master Joseph."
"I do not want to interfere with my brother, remember; but if at any time he should not want you any more, remember the old place is still open for you. It was your own fault, you know, that you went."
"I did not know when I was well off, Master Joseph. I was a fool, that was all."
"I thought so," replied Master Joseph pithily. "But no matter about that now—can you do an errand for me?"
"Of course I can—the mistress willing."
"Well, I said I wished to send you on an errand, and she told me where to find you."