"It's lucky I came here," he said to himself, as he plied the saw energetically; "but what queer old ladies they are, especially the one that's always sayin' 'just so.' If I'd tell her I'd got fifty-seven grand-children I'll bet she'd say, 'Just so.'" Miss Sophia was looking out of the back window to see how their new "man" worked. Occasionally Priscilla, as she was setting the table, glanced out of the window in passing. "He takes hold as if he knew how," she observed. "Just so," responded her sister. "I think he works faster than John." "Just so." "It's very strange that he should be the great-grandson of the great Burke." "Just so." "And that he should be sawing wood for us, too." "Just so." "I think we must be kind to him, sister." "Just so. He won't try to kiss you, Priscilla," said Sophia, with a sudden thought. "You are a goose, sister," said Priscilla. "Just so," assented the other, from force of habit. In due time dinner was ready, and Andy was summoned from the woodpile. He was in nowise sorry for the summons. He had a hearty appetite at all times, and just now it was increased by his unrequited labor in turning the grindstone for Deacon Jones, as well as by the half-hour he had spent at his new task. The Misses Grant did their own work, as I have before observed. They were excellent cooks, and the dinner now upon the table, though plain, was very savory and inviting. Andy's eyes fairly danced with satisfaction as they rested on the roast beef and vegetables, which emitted an odor of a highly satisfactory character. At the farmer's where he had last worked, the table had been plentifully supplied, but the cooking was very rudimentary. "Sit down, Andrew," said Miss Priscilla. "I think that is your name." "They call me 'Andy,' ma'am." "That means Andrew. Shall I give you some meat?" "Thank you, ma'am." "Will you have it rare or well done?" "Well done, ma'am. I have it rare enough, anyhow." "Sophia, Andrew has made a joke," said Priscilla, with a decorous smile. "Just so, Priscilla," and Sophia smiled also. "I suppose your family has been reduced to poverty, Andrew, or you would not be seeking employment of this character?" "True for you, ma'am," said Andy, with his mouth full. "How was your family property lost?" "Faith, ma'am, by speculation," said Andy, hazarding a guess. "That is very sad. Sophia, we must never speculate." "Just so, Priscilla." "Or we might lose all our money." "And have to saw wood for a living," said Sophia, with another brilliant idea. Andy was so amused at the picture thus suggested that he came near choking, but recovered himself, after a violent attack of coughing. "I am afraid, Sophia, we should scarcely make a living in that way," said Priscilla, with a smile. "Just so," acquiesced her sister. "How long have you been in this country, Andrew?" "Six years, ma'am."