er holidays. You must tell him
that I am very much pleased with the work and that he must send in his
account immediately."

"Law bless you, sir; it was not Master Ramsey as did it," said Gray,
with a broad grin.

"Who, then? Whoever it was, it is all the same to me; I am pleased with
the work, and willing to testify my approval by a liberal payment."

"It was the same hand, sir, as made out the farm-books."

"And who was that?"

"It was my nephew, Ishmael Worth, sir," replied Reuben, with a little
pardonable pride.

"Ishmael Worth again!" exclaimed the judge.

"Yes, sir; he done 'em both."

"That is an intelligent lad of yours, Gray."

"Well, sir, he is just a wonder."

"How do you account for his being so different from--from--"

"From me and Hannah?" inquired the simple Reuben, helping the judge out
of his difficulty. "Well, sir, I s'pose as how his natur' were diff'ent,
and so he growed up diff'ent accordin' to his natur'. Human creeters
differ like wegetables, sir; some one sort and some another. Me and
Hannah, sir, we's like plain 'tatoes; but Ishmael, sir, is like a rich,
bright blooming peach! That's the onliest way as I can explain it, sir."

"A very satisfactory explanation, Gray! How are Hannah and those
wonderful twins?"

"Fine, sir; fine, thank Heaven! Miss Claudia was so good as to send word
as how she would come to see Hannah as soon as she was able to see
company. Now Hannah is able to-day, sir, and would be proud to see Miss
Claudia and to show her the babbies."

"Very well, Gray! I will let my daughter know," said the judge, rising
from his chair.

Reuben took this as a hint that his departure was desirable, and so he
made his bow and his exit.

In another moment, however, he reappeared, holding his hat in his hand
and saying:

"I beg your pardon, sir."

"Well, what now? what is it, Gray? What's forgotten?"

"If you please, sir, to give my duty to Miss Claudia, and beg her not to
let poor Hannah know as Ishmael has been so badly hurt. When she missed
him we told her how he was staying up here long of your honor, and she
naturally thinks how he is a-doing some more liber-airy work for you;
and we dar'n't tell her any better or how the truth is, for fear of
heaving of her back, sir."

"Very well; I will caution Miss Merlin."

"And I hope, sir, as you and Miss Claudia will pardon the liberty I take
in mentioning of the matter; which I wouldn't go for to do it, if poor
Hannah's