The window was still open; and through it I could hear the creaking of baskets as they were moved, and Old Brownsmith's voice in loud altercation with Ike.
"Well, there," said the latter, "'tain't no use for me to keep on saying I didn't, master, if you says I did." "Not a bit, Ike; and I'll make you pay for the damage as sure as I stand here." "Oh! all right! I'm a rich man, master--lots o' money, and land, and stock, and implements.

Make me pay! I've saved a fortin on the eighteen shillings a week.

Here, what should I want to hurt the boy for, master?
Come, tell me that." "Afraid he'd find out some of your tricks, I suppose." "That's it: go it, master! Hark at that, now, after sarving him faithful all these years!" "Get on with your work and don't talk," cried Old Brownsmith sharply.
"Catch that rope.

Mind you don't miss that handle." "I sha'n't miss no handles," growled Ike; and as I lay listening to the sawing noise made by the rope being dragged through basket-handles and under hooks in the cart, I felt so much better that I got up and went out into the yard, to find that the cart had been carefully reloaded.
Ike was standing on one of the wheels passing a cart-rope in and out, so as to secure the baskets, and dragging it tight to fasten off here and there.
He caught sight of me coming out of the house, feeling dull and low-spirited, for this did not seem a very pleasant beginning of my new career.
"Hah!" he ejaculated, letting himself down in a lumbering way from the wheel, and then rubbing his right hand up and down his trouser-leg to get it clean; "hah! now we'll have it out!" He came right up to me, spreading out his open hand.
"Here, young un!" he cried; "the master says I did that thar a-purpose to hurt you, out of jealous feeling like.

What do you say ?" "It was an accident," I cried, eagerly.
"Hear that, master," cried Ike; "and that's a fact; so here's my hand, and here's my heart.