`` Ellis , '' said his uncle abruptly , after a moment 's silence , `` I 'm going to discharge my man . He 's no earthly good . Will you take his place ? I 'll give you fifteen dollars a month and found . '' Ellis stared at Timothy Robinson . `` I thought you told me that you had no place for my father 's son , '' he said slowly . `` I 've changed my mind . I 've seen how you went at that elderberry job . Great snakes , there could n't be a better test for anybody than rooting out them things . I know you can work . When Jacob Green told me why you 'd refused his offer I knew you could be depended on . You come to me and I 'll do well by you . I 've no kith or kin of my own except you . And look here , Ellis . I 'm tired of hired housekeepers . Will your mother come up and live with us and look after things a bit ? I 've a good girl , and she wo n't have to work hard , but there must be somebody at the head of a household . She must have a good headpiece -- for you have inherited good qualities from someone , and goodness knows it was n't from your father . '' `` Uncle Timothy , '' said Ellis respectfully but firmly , `` I 'll accept your offer gratefully , and I am sure Mother will too . But there is one thing I must say .
Perhaps my father deserves all you say of him -- but he is dead -- and if I come to you it must be XXXXX the understanding that nothing more is ever to be said against him . ''
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