milasses."

"_William!_" commanded his mistress.

"Yas'm," was the meek response, and Uncle Billy subsided into silence.

With a sigh, Mrs. Cary turned away toward the house. "Well, James, are
you coming?"

But Jeems Henry, completely abashed before this miracle of kindness
which he did not deserve, decided that it was time for him to be a man.

"Thank you, Miss Hallie," he gulped, "but f'um now on I reckon I gwine
take keer of myse'f."

Mrs. Cary, pausing on the bottom step, raised her eyes heavenward in a
short prayer that children such as these might somehow be protected from
themselves.

"Well, James," she said, when she saw there was nothing more to be done.
"I hope you'll be happy and contented. If you are not--come back to us.
Perhaps, when the war is over, you'll find things a little
more--comfortable. Good-by, James," and she held out her hand.

But this last touch of gentleness was too much for the young mulatto.
Although he made an obedient step forward, his feelings overcame him and
with an audible snuffle and his hand over his eyes he retreated--then
turned his back and plunged through the hedge.

Mrs. Cary sank down on the step and looked as if she, too, would like to