It was not long before Albert was able to return to the city. He was delighted that his mother and sister were provided for, and kept Mr. and Mrs. Taylor laughing from morning till night; and yet Mr. Curtis suspected there was something on his mind that troubled him.
The night before he was to leave he requested an interview with the Squire, when with some embarrassment he said:
"Bertie told me to-day that you were looking for a gardener. If I can fit myself for the business by next spring, will you let me try it?"
"Do you know any thing about flowers?"
"I worked one winter for a gentleman who cultivated flowers and fruit for sale. He had violets and carnation-pinks and roses, and in other houses he had strawberries and mushrooms, and lettuce. I think as far as I went I learned the business thoroughly."
"Capital! and do you understand about laying out grounds? I mean small plats for flowers."
"I can't say, sir, how I should please you or the lady; but I could draw you a plan of what I've been wanting to see in front of the house. Perhaps you could judge something by that."
Mr. Curtis sat thinking for a time, and then Albert said with his old, merry twinkle:
"I'd like first rate to work for you, Squire; and I suppose mother would like to have me where she can look after me a little. I needn't promise, I'd try to do my best, for you know that already. I'd work for considerable less wages for the sake of being near Bertie."