“Oh! I don't know. Kind of, maybe. I wanted to ask his advice about somethin'. It's a secret. Only him and me know about it. Good-by.”
“Shall I tell him you'll call again? Or ask him to come up to your house?”
Mr. Pepper, who had started to go, now hurried back to the steps.
“No, no,” he protested, in alarm. “Don't you tell him that. I wouldn't have him come there for no money. Why, Laviny, she—”
“Oh, Laviny isn't in the secret, then?” Keziah smiled in spite of herself.
“Not exactly. That is, not much. Don't you tell her I come here, will you? I'll find Mr. Ellery. I know where he is.”
“I wouldn't go to the Danielses', if I was you. Elkanah might not like to have you chasin' after his visitors.”
“Oh, the minister ain't at the Danielses', not as late's this, he ain't. I know where he is.”
“You do?” The housekeeper looked at him keenly.
“Yes, sir, I do. I know where he goes Sunday afternoons—and why he goes, too. Mr. Ellery and me's good friends. We understand each other.”