"I hope you do not mean to play Catherine to this boy's Huon in a new version of the drama of 'Love; or, The Countess and the Serf!" "Papa! how can you say such things to your motherless daughter! You know that I would die first!" exclaimed the imperious girl indignantly, as she bounced up and flung herself into a passion and out of the room. She left the door wide open; but had scarcely disappeared before her place in the doorway was filled up by the tall, gaunt figure, gray head, and smiling face of Reuben. "Well, Gray?" "Well, sir, I have brought the farm books all made up to the first of this month, sir," said the overseer, laying the volumes on the table before his master. "And very neatly and accurately done, too," remarked the judge, as he turned over the pages and examined the items. "It is not your handwriting, Gray?" "Dear, no, sir! not likely!" "Nor little Kitty's?" "Why, law, sir! little Kitty has been in Californy a year or more! How did you like the 'rangement of your liber-airy, sir?" inquired Gray, with apparent irrelevance, as he glanced around upon the book-lined walls. "Very much, indeed, Gray! I never had my books so well classified. It was the work of young Ramsey, the schoolmaster, I suppose, and furnished him with employment during the midsummer 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.