“I think he would like it,” Harry murmured, a little sheepishly.
“Why, he’s as free as air now; a deuced sight freer than I am.”
Nevertheless Harry gained his point, and though the Squire growled, “You young jackanapes, you’ve robbed me of the best hog-feeder on the river,” still he was evidently pleased, and in the evening old Jerry was sent for.
When, in answer to the summons, Jerry presented himself at the study door, his master said to him, with a stateliness fitted to the occasion:—
“Jerry, I have sent for you to tell you that your young master here, as a reward for your fidelity, desires to give you your freedom.”
Here the Squire paused, and Jerry, not knowing what else to say, said, “Yes, Marster.”
Harry, standing by, was feeling rather wrought up, while the Squire, also somewhat excited, continued:—
“I will give you a house in the free settlement, out in the slashes, and your young master will always take care of you.”
Another rather disconcerting pause was broken by a second “Yes, Marster;” and the old man, picking up his hat, shuffled out.
The Squire glanced at Harry with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, but the boy’s face expressed such blank disappointment that he took pity upon him, and, picking up a newspaper, dismissed the matter.