"I hope he will come!" said Hugh.
But this hope was to be disappointed. Mr. Rossitur wrote again about the first of March, saying, that he hoped to make something of his lands in Michigan, and that he had the prospect of being engaged in some land agencies, which would make it worth his while to spend the summer there. He bade his wife let anybody take the farm that could manage it, and would pay; and to remit to Dr. Gregory whatever she should receive, and could spare. He hoped to do something where he was.
It was just then the beginning of the sugar season, and Mrs. Douglass having renewed and urged Earl's offer of help, Fleda sent Philetus down to ask him to come the next day with his team. Seth Plumfield's, which had drawn the wood in the winter, was now busy in his own sugar business. On Earl Douglass's ground there happened to be no maple-trees. His lands were of moderate extent, and almost entirely cultivated as a sheep farm; and Mr. Douglass himself, though in very comfortable circumstances, was in the habit of assisting, on advantageous terms, all. the farmers in the neighbourhood.
Philetus came back again in a remarkably short time; and announced that he had met Dr. Quackenboss in the way, who had offered to come with his team for the desired service.
"Then you have not been to Mr. Douglass's?"
"I have not," said Philetus "I thought likely you wouldn't calculate to want him teu."
"How came the doctor to know what you were going for?"
"I told him."
"But how came you to tell him?''
"Waul, I guess he had a mind to know," said Philetus; "so I didn't keep it no closer than I had teu."