Five minutes later the three men followed the boys, and Isaac fancied it was Master Phelps’ intention to explain to the farmer the 133 purpose of their coming, but that he feared to do so in the presence of the mistress of the household, who, if her son had quoted her words correctly, favored the king’s representatives rather than the colonists in the doings which had lately arisen.
Nathan took good care that his new friend should perform a full share of the evening’s work, and Isaac assisted in milking the cows, carrying water, and chopping wood until he had of a surety earned as bountiful a spread as could be set before him.
The farmer and his guests did not appear until they had been summoned twice after the appetizing meal was placed upon the table, and while she was impatiently awaiting them, Mrs. Beman questioned her son sharply as to what business his father could have with the strangers.
For a time Nathan avoided making any 134 direct answer; but when his mother pressed him closely he answered her quite as pertly as he had Colonel Allen, by saying:
“I’m to be paid for holdin’ my tongue about whatever is goin’ on—I’ll have six shillings by this time to-morrow night, an’ I can’t afford to talk to anybody.”
“Six shillings just for holding your tongue, Nathan?”
“Well, it’s for that an’ a little more; but I ain’t goin’ to make any talk, so if you want me to earn the money you’d better stop askin’ questions.”
“Is your father going to get as much?”
“I don’t know anything about his trades; it’s all I can do to take care of my own, an’ work ’em through accordin’ to the agreement, when there’s so much questionin’ goin’ on,” Nathan replied quite sharply, and his mother, who was evidently as prudent as 135 himself in financial matters, desisted from pressing him further.
After this brief conversation Isaac felt positive Corporal ’Lige need have no fear regarding possible treachery on Nathan’s part, for if the boy refused to tell his mother he surely would be close-mouthed in the presence of others.