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 Ellis was tempted to repent having refused Jacob Green 's offer . But at the end of the month the work was done and the Fillmore elderberry pasture was an elderberry pasture no longer . All that remained of the elders , root and branch , was piled into a huge heap ready for burning . `` And I 'll come up and set fire to it when it 's dry enough , '' Ellis told Mr. Fillmore . `` I claim the satisfaction of that . '' `` You 've done the job thoroughly , '' said Old Thomas . `` There 's your sixteen dollars , and every cent of it was earned , if ever money was , I 'll say that much for you . There ai n't a lazy bone in your body . If you ever want a recommendation just you come to me . '' As Ellis passed Timothy Robinson 's place on the way home that worthy himself appeared , strolling down his lane .
`` Ah , Ellis , '' he said , speaking to his nephew XXXXX the first time since their interview two months before , `` so you 've finished with your job ? ''
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