Jacob lost no time in announcing his errand . `` My hired boy 's broke his leg , and I must fill his place right off . Somebody referred me to you . Guess I 'll try you . Twelve dollars a month , board , and lodging . What say ? '' For a moment Ellis 's face flushed with delight . Twelve dollars a month and permanent employment ! Then he remembered his promise to Mr. Fillmore . For a moment he struggled with the temptation . Then he mastered it . Perhaps the discipline of his many encounters with those elderberry roots helped him to do so . `` I 'm sorry , Mr. Green , '' he said reluctantly . `` I 'd like to go , but I ca n't . I promised Mr. Fillmore that I 'd finish cleaning up his elderberry pasture when I 'd once begun it , and I sha n't be through for a month yet . '' `` Well , I 'd see myself turning down a good offer for Old Tom Fillmore , '' said Jacob Green . `` It is n't for Mr. Fillmore -- it 's for myself , '' said Ellis steadily . `` I promised and I must keep my word . '' Jacob drove away grumblingly . On the road he met Timothy Robinson and stopped to relate his grievances .
* * * * * It must be admitted that there were times during the next month when XXXXX was tempted to repent having refused Jacob Green 's offer .
Ellis Fillmore Green Jacob Mr. Robinson elderberry lodging month right