Chapter XXVI.
'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good green wood,
So blithe Lady Alice is singing;
On the beech's pride, and the oak's brown side,
Lord Richard's axe is ringing.
Lady of the Lake.
Philetus came, and was inducted into office and the little room immediately; and Fleda felt herself eased of a burden. Barby reported him stout and willing, and he proved it by what seemed a perverted inclination for bearing the most enormous logs of wood he could find into the kitchen.
"He will hurt himself!" said Fleda.
"I'll protect him!--against anything but buckwheat batter," said Barby with a grave shake of her head. "Lazy folks takes the most pains, I tell him. But it would be good to have some more ground, Fleda, for Philetus says he don't care for no dinner when he has griddles to breakfast, and there ain't anything much cheaper than that."
"Aunt Lucy, have you any change in the house?" said Fleda that same day.
"There isn't but three and sixpence," said Mrs. Rossitur with a pained conscious look. "What is wanting, dear?"
"Only candles--Barby has suddenly found we are out, and she won't have any more made before to-morrow. Never mind!"
"There is only that," repeated Mrs. Rossitur. "Hugh has a little money due to him from last summer, but he hasn't been able to get it yet. You may take that, dear."