“I thought you were going to stay up there all day,” said Mr. Holden. “What were you about up there?”
“That is my business,” said Mrs. Bickford, shortly.
The housekeeper was independent in her feelings, and, knowing that she could readily obtain another situation, did not choose to be browbeaten by Mr. Holden. He was quite aware of her value, and the difficulty he would experience in supplying her place, and he put some constraint over himself in the effort not to be rude to her. With Herbert, however, it was different. HE was BOUND to him, and therefore in his power. Abner Holden exulted in this knowledge, and with the instinct of a petty tyrant determined to let Herbert realize his dependence.
“You may go out and saw some wood,” he said. “You'll find the saw in the woodshed.”
“What wood shall I saw?”
“The wood in the woodpile, stupid.”
“Very well, sir,” said our hero, quietly.
Herbert thought Mr. Holden was losing no time in setting him to work. However, he had resolved to do his duty, unpleasant as it might be, as long as Abner Holden only exacted what was reasonable, and Herbert was aware that he had a right to require him to go to work at once. Mrs. Bickford, however, said a word in his favor.
“I've got wood enough to last till to-morrow, Mr. Holden,” she said.
“Well, what of it?”