Frequently Timothy Robinson wandered by and looked at the increasing pile of roots and the slowly extending stretch of cleared land . But he never spoke to Ellis and made no comment on the matter to anybody . One evening , when the field was about half done , Ellis went home more than usually tired . It had been a very hot day . Every bone and muscle in him ached . He wondered dismally if he would ever get to the end of that wretched elderberry field . When he reached home Jacob Green from Westdale was there . 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 XXXXX go , but I ca n't .
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