"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 safety were not involved."
"Certainly, certainly, Gray, I can appreciate your feelings as a husband and father."
"Thank your honor," said Reuben, as he departed.
The judge kept his word to the overseer, and the same hour conveyed to his daughter the invitation and the caution.
Claudia was moped half to death, and desired nothing better than a little amus.e.m.e.nt. So the same afternoon she set out on her walk to Woodside, followed by her own maid Mattie, carrying a large basket filled with fine laces, ribbons, and beads to deck the babies, and wines, cordials, and jellies to nourish the mother.
On arriving at Woodside Cottage Miss Merlin was met by Sally, the colored maid of all work, and shown immediately into a neat bedroom on the ground floor, where she found Hannah sitting in state in her resting-chair beside her bed, and contemplating with maternal satisfaction the infant prodigies that lay in a cradle at her feet.
"Do not attempt to rise! I am so glad to see you looking so well, Mrs.
Gray! I am Miss Merlin," was Claudia"s frank greeting, as she approached Hannah, and held out her hand.
"Thank you, miss; you are very good to come; and I am glad to see you,"
said the proud mother, heartily shaking the hand offered by the visitor.
"I wish you much joy of your fine children, Mrs. Gray."
"Thank you very much, miss. Pray sit down. Sally, hand a chair."
The maid of all work brought one, which Claudia took, saying:
"Now let me see the twins."
Hannah stooped and raised the white dimity coverlet, and proudly displayed her treasures--two fat, round, red-faced babies, calmly sleeping side by side.
What woman or girl ever looked upon sleeping infancy without pleasure?
Claudia"s face brightened into beaming smiles as she contemplated these children, and exclaimed:
"They are beauties! I want you to let me help to dress them up fine, Mrs. Gray! I have no little brothers and sisters, nor nephews and nieces; and I should like so much to have a part property in these!"
"You are too good, Miss Merlin."
"I am not good at all. I like to have my own way. I should like to pet and dress these babies. I declare, for the want of a little brother or sister to pet, I could find it in my heart to dress a doll! See, now, what I have brought for these babies! Let the basket down, Mattie, and take the things out."
Miss Merlin"s maid obeyed, and displayed to the astonished eyes of Hannah yards of cambric, muslin, and lawn, rolls of lace, ribbon, and beads, and lots of other finery.
Hannah"s eyes sparkled. That good woman had never been covetous for herself, but for those children she could become so. She had too much surly pride to accept favors for herself, but for those children she could do so; not, however, without some becoming hesitation and reluctance.
"It is too much, Miss Merlin. All these articles are much too costly for me to accept, or for the children to wear," she began.
But Claudia silenced her with:
"Nonsense! I know very well that you do not in your heart think that there is anything on earth too fine for those babies to wear. And as for their being costly, that is my business. Mattie, lay these things on Mrs. Gray"s bureau."
Again Mattie obeyed her mistress, and then set the empty basket down on the floor.
"Now, Mattie, the other basket."
Mattie brought it.
"Mrs. Gray, these wines, cordials, and jellies are all of domestic manufacture--Katie"s own make; and she declares them to be the best possible supports for invalids in your condition," said Miss Merlin, uncovering the second basket.
"But really and indeed, miss, you are too kind. I cannot think of accepting all these good things from you."
"Mattie, arrange all those pots, jars, and bottles on the mantel shelf, until somebody comes to take them away," said Claudia, without paying the least attention to Hannah"s remonstrances.
When this order was also obeyed, and Mattie stood with both baskets on her arms, waiting for further instructions, Miss Merlin arose, saying:
"And now, Mrs. Gray, I must bid you good-afternoon. I cannot keep papa waiting dinner for me. But I will come to see you again to-morrow, if you will allow me to do so."
"Miss Merlin, I should be proud and happy to see you as often as you think fit to come."
"And, mind, I am to stand G.o.d-mother to the twins."