This room was now used as a dairy. There was a long row of milk-pans in it, upon a bench. Mrs. Randon was there. She seemed very glad to see Ellen, and asked her to walk into the house.
Ellen said that she came to see her uncle. So her aunt went with her out into the yard where her uncle was at work; he was mending a harrow.
"Well, Ellen," said her uncle, "I am very glad to see you. But I am sorry to hear about poor Rodolphus."
"Yes," said Ellen, "but I have thought of one more plan. It's of no use to keep him from going to the state prison, even if we could, unless we can get a good place for him. Now what I wish is, that if we can get him free, you would let him come and live here with you. Perhaps you could make him a good boy."
Mr. Randon leaned upon the handle of his broad ax, and seemed to be at a loss what to say. He looked toward his wife.
"Yes," said she, "let him come. I should like to have him come very much. We can make him a good boy."
"Well," said Mr. Randon.
"Well!" said Ellen. Her eyes brightened up as she said this, and she turned to go away. Mr. and Mrs. Randon attempted to stop her, but she said that she could not stay then, and so she went away.
"She can not get him free," said Mr. Randon.
"I don't know," said his wife. "Perhaps she may. Such a girl as she can do a great deal when she tries."