“No; the old lady is easy goin’, that is all. If she ever got roused she’d turn out to have a will of her own, or I’m greatly mistaken. Bless your soul, Mrs. Mercer wouldn’t dare to go too far, for she wants the old lady to leave her a good slice of her property. But she gets round her in an underhand way. For instance, if her son wants to go off anywhere, and it isn’t convenient for him to drive the old lady out, Mrs. Mercer persuades her that she isn’t looking well, or that the wind is cold and raw, and she’d better stay at home. I shouldn’t be surprised if she’d get the old lady to make a will in her favor.” “I wonder what sort of a reception the housekeeper will give me,” said Paul, thoughtfully. “Very likely she will not be over glad to see you, especially when she knows you’re a friend of Mrs. Holbrook. That lady saw through the housekeeper’s little schemes, and did what she could to put a spoke in her wheel--that’s why she hates her.” “Well, all I can do is to hope for the best.” “Be yer expectin’ to stay long?” asked Amos, curiously. “That depends on whether the housekeeper will let me, from what you tell me.” “You’ll find it dreadful dull.” “Perhaps so, but I’m going to offer to drive out Mrs. Granville, and I’m willing to take care of the horse or horses, if she wants me to.” “Frost will like that, for he’s lazy, and will be glad to get rid of the work.” “I suppose Frost is the housekeeper’s son.” “Yes, that’s the one I mean.” “What sort of a fellow is he?” “Good enough for those who like him,” answered Amos, dryly. “I don’t.” “Does he resemble his mother?” “He’s a chip of the old block, but not half so smart. His mother thinks him an angel, and what she wants the old lady’s property for is not so much for herself as for her son.” “You think I won’t find him a pleasant companion, then?” “I know you won’t.” “Then I hope I shall like Mrs. Granville.” “She’s a good old lady and awful rich. The only weak thing about her is her trusting the housekeeper.” “I should think she would prefer to have some relative with her.” “She won’t get any to stay with her till she discharges Mrs. Mercer. The housekeeper makes herself as disagreeable as possible to any relation, because she’s afraid they will get an influence over the old lady’s mind and interfere with her.” “Perhaps she may think the same of me.” “Like as not. You can tell better in a few days. But there’s the house, the big white one on a little hill to the left.” “It is a very nice one.” “Oh, yes, it’s a good house. Why shouldn’t it be? The old lady’s got plenty of money.” “Have you any idea how much?” “It’s risin’ a hundred thousand dollars, I heard Squire Taylor say once. Squire Taylor is her lawyer, and he’s likely to know.” “No wonder the housekeeper has designs upon it.” “Just so--I shouldn’t mind if the old lady would leave me a slice. You might put in a good word for me--Amos Drake--when you get acquainted.”