“Joe,” he said at length, “you used to be fond of gardening. Have you forgotten all about it?”
“Why, not quite, sir, but—”
“Stay—I’ll come back in a few minutes,” said Edgar, rising hastily, and going into the house.
In a few minutes he returned with his wife.
“Joe,” said he, “Mrs Berrington has something to say to you.”
“Mr Baldwin,” said Aileen, with a peculiar smile, “I am greatly in want of a gardener. Can you tell me where I am likely to find one, or can you recommend one?”
Joe, who was a quick-witted fellow, replied with much gravity:—
“No Miss—ma’am, I mean—I can’t.”
“That’s a pity,” returned Aileen, with a little frown of perplexity; “I am also much in want of a cook—do you know of one?”
“No, ma’am,” said Joe, “I don’t.”