"If yer still round in the summer, ye can help in t' hay binding, and for now ye can 'elp in some chores around the yard, milkin' t' cows and all that, especially while Mrs. Appleton is still recoverin'," he answered. "However, there are a few conditions." His voice was stern. He was taking a risk, on several levels, and he was still not entirely certain whether it would be worth the potential pay off.

"Jenny has agreed to share her room with you. We'll get a curtain up so you can both have your own side, but she's giving up room and privacy, and I wouldn't have made the offer if she hadn't agreed to it. If you should give her trouble, that means you will have to go."