"Ay, ay!" says Adsly. And the work stops.
"Now what do I do this for?" exclaims Frisbie, vexed at himself the instant he has spoken. And he frowns, and blows his nose furiously. "It's because I am too good-natured, altogether!"
"No, no, Sir,--I beg your pardon!" says Mr. Williams, his heart all aglow with gratitude. "To be kind and merciful to the poor, that isn't to be too good-natured, Sir!"
"Well, well! I a'n't one of your milk-and-water sort. Look at such a man as Gingerford, for example! But I guess, come case in hand, you'll find as much genuine humanity in me, Adsly, as in them that profess so much. Wait till to-morrow before you knock the old shell to pieces. I'll give 'em another day. And in the mean time, boy," turning to Fessenden's, "you must find you another home. Either go back to your guardian, or I'll send you over to the almshouse. These people can't keep you, for they'll have no house in these parts to keep themselves in."
"So?" says Fessenden's. "They kep' me when they had a house, and I'll stay with them when they haven't got any."
Something in the case of this unfortunate stripling interested Frisbie. His devotion to his new friends was so sincere, and so simply expressed, that the robust, well-fed man was almost touched by it.
"I vow, it's a queer case, Stephen! What do you think of it?"
"You own that vacant lot opposite Gingerford's?"
"I think, then, instead of pulling the house down, I'd just move it over there, niggers and all"----
"And set it opposite the Judge's!" exclaims Frisbie, catching gleefully at the idea.
"Exactly," says Stephen; "and give him enough of niggers for one while."
"I'll do it!--Adsly! Adsly! See here, Adsly! Do you suppose this old box can be moved?"
"I guess so. 'T a'n't very large. Ruther think the frame'll hold together."
"Wal, I never moved a house. There's Cap'en Slade, he moves houses. He's got all the tackle for it, and I ha'n't. I suppose I can git him, if you want me to see to the job."
Agreed! It did not take Frisbie long to decide. It was such a tremendous joke! A nest of niggers under the dainty Gingerford nose! ho, ho! Whip up, Stephen! And the red and puffy face, redder and puffier still with immense fun, rode off.