That's all I've got to say about it."

"I calculate to wash out the boat-house."

"You've only half an hour to do it in, then. You've not only got to wash
it out every morning, but you have got to do it before nine o'clock.
Them's the orders. I always obey orders. If Miss Bertha should tell me
to tie you up, and give you as big a licking as you deserve, I should do
it."

"No, you wouldn't."

"I haven't got any such orders, mind ye, Noddy; so we won't dispute
about that. Now, go and wash out the boat-house like a good boy, and
don't make any fuss about it."

Noddy deliberated a few moments more. He evidently disliked the job, or
did not wish to do it at that particular time; but Miss Bertha's
influence was all-powerful; and though he would have fought, tooth and
nail, against anything like compulsion on the part of Ben, he could not
resist the potent spell which the name of his young mistress cast upon
him.

"Hang the old boat-house!" exclaimed he, as he stamped his foot upon the
ground, and then slowly retraced his steps towards the boatman.

"Hang it, if you like, Noddy, but wash it out first," said Ben, with a
smile, as he observed the effect of the charm he had used to induce the
wayward youth to do his duty.

"I wish the boat-house was burned up!" added Noddy, petulantly.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do. I wish it was a pile of ashes at this moment."

"Don't say so, Noddy. What would Miss Bertha think to hear you talk like
that?"

"You can tell her, if you like," replied Noddy, as he rushed desperately
into the boat-house to do the disagreeable job.

Noddy Newman was an orphan; and no one in the vicinity of Woodville even
knew what his real name was. Two years before, Bertha Grant had taken
the most tender care of him, after an accident by which he had been
severely injured. Previous to that time he had been a vagabond, roaming
about the woods and the villages, sleeping in barns and out-buildings,
and stealing his food when he could obtain it by no other means. Efforts
had been made to commit him to the poorhouse; but he had cunningly
avoided being captured, and retained his freedom until the accident
placed him under the influence of Bertha Grant, who had before vainly
attempted to induce him to join her mission-school in the Glen.

Noddy had been two years at Woodville. He was neither a servant nor a
member of the family, but occupied a half-way position, eating and
sleeping with the men employed o