"Because he lived with grandpa a great while ago, and behaved very ill. Grandpa had a great deal of trouble with him."
"How old were you then?"
"I was young, to be sure," said Fleda hanging her head, "but I remember very well how it was."
"You may have occasion to remember it a second time," said Mr. Rossitur dryly, "for the thing is done. I have engaged him."
Not another word was spoken.
Mr. Rossitur went out after breakfast, and Mrs. Rossitur busied herself with the breakfast cups and a tub of hot water, a work she never would let Fleda share with her and which lasted in consequence long enough, Barby said, to cook and eat three breakfasts. Fleda and Hugh sat looking at the floor and the fire respectively.
"I am going up the hill to get a sight of aunt Miriam," said Fleda, bringing her eyes from the fire upon her aunt.
"Well, dear, do. You have been shut up long enough by the snow. Wrap yourself up well, and put on my snow-boots."
"No indeed!" said Fleda. "I shall just draw on another pair of stockings over my shoes, within my India-rubbers--I will take a pair of Hugh's woollen ones."
"What has become of your own?" said Hugh.