"This is better than Asphodel just now," Rufus remarked as he took his hands out and straightened himself.
"How do you like Mr. Glanbally?"
"Well enough — he's a very good man — not too bright; but he's a very good man. He does very well. I must get you there, Winthrop."
Winthrop shook his head and turned the conversation; and Rufus in fact went away from home without finding a due opportunity to speak on the matter. But perhaps other agency was at work.
The summer was passed, and the fall nearly; swallowed up in farm duty as the months before had been. The cornstalks were harvested and part of the grain threshed out. November was on its way.
"Governor," said his father one night, when Winthrop was playing "even or odd" with Winifred and Asahel, a great handful of chestnuts being the game, — "Governor, have you a mind to take Rufus's place at Asphodel for a while this fall?"
The blood rushed to Winthrop's face; but he only forgot his chestnuts and said, "Yes, sir."
"You may go, if you've a mind to, and as soon as you like. — It's better travelling now than it will be by and by. I can get along without you for a spell, I guess."
"Thank you, father."
But Winthrop's eyes sought his mother's face. In vain little Winifred hammered upon his hand with her little doubled up fist, and repeated, "even or odd?" He threw down the chestnuts and quitted the room hastily.