“Come on!” cried Jabez, throwing down the hoe he had been carrying. “I’m ready. Examine all you want to.”
“Oh, I don’t mean just this minute, but some time before I go! How is your grandmother these days?”
“She’s pretty well. And that makes me think that I promised her to help churn; I’ll have to be going. I came up to talk a little to Miss Eunice and you about the garden. I don’t suppose she’ll do much in it this year, since you won’t be here.”
“I shall help to make it while I am at home, if the weather will let me. But your help will be needed after. Come and speak to my sister.”
They went into the house, and found Eunice preparing to make the bread which she had mixed early in the morning. Fidelia set the rocking-chair for her sister, and took the making of the bread into her own hands.
“About the garden, Miss Eunice? What are you going to do about it?” said Jabez.
“I shall want some help, I suppose—a good deal of help. Can I depend on you, Jabez?”
“Well, I’ve been talking a little with grandpa about what I want to do this summer. He wants me to work along with Mr Grimes for a spell. You know, Fidelia, Grimes has got grandpa’s farm on shares this year, and he would like to hire me.”
“Well, and why not?”