“No, no⁠—oh, not there,” replied Job, with a quickness very unusual to him, “not there.”

“What was you a-doin’ there?” asked Sam, with a sharp glance. “Got inside the gate by accident, perhaps?”

“Why, Mr. Weller,” replied Job, “I don’t mind telling you my little secrets, because, you know, we took such a fancy for each other when we first met. You recollect how pleasant we were that morning?”

“Oh, yes,” said Sam, impatiently. “I remember. Well?”

“Well,” replied Job, speaking with great precision, and in the low tone of a man who communicates an important secret; “in that house with the green gate, Mr. Weller, they keep a good many servants.”