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Show Page 51 John the servant. "They are burgesses from Martin's Hundred and have such knowledge as you require." The men bowed, then Master Boys turned to the third John (my head was fair reeling with Johns!) and said, "This is John Clark, indentured servant to Richard Martin, a leading member of the Society of Martin's Hundred." John Clark smiled at me. "I see the lady has indeed recaptured her land legs," he said. Richard looked at him sharply as though to question what right a servant had to speak to me, but the other Johns did not seem to think it ill-advised of the man to address me. "You know the young lady?" asked John Boys. "I know only that she has not come to Virginia to seek a husband," answered John Clark, "much to the disappointment of all the lads waiting yesterday to help her ashore." "Keeping to the matter at hand," Richard interrupted. "Have you enough indentured orphans at Martin's Hundred to warrant a tutor?" "Nay," answered John Jackson, and my heart sank. I was to be parted from Anne after all. I was about to ask if they knew of any other settlement that had need of a tutor when Master Jackson added, "But if the young lady is willing to spend only part of her day teaching reluctant young minds and part of her day in other tasks, however, I am certain Martin's Hundred would welcome her and keep her hands from ever becoming |
