The house was a double log-cabin, with a hall between, and they entered
the room on the right, which seemed to be the principal living-room.
There was a shabby old bed in one corner, with the cover all
disarranged, as if its occupant had just left it. A table, littered with
unwashed dishes, stood in the middle of the floor, and one or two rude
split-bottomed chairs completed the furniture.

The little girls were frightened at the unusual silence about the place,
as well as the dirt and disorder, but, being very tired, they sat down
to rest.

"Diddie," asked Dumps, after a little time, "ain't yer scared?"

"I don't think I'm scared, Dumps," replied Diddie; "but I'm not right
comfor'ble."

"_I'm_ scared," said Dumps. "I'm _jes_ ez fraid of Mr. Tight-fis'
Smith!"

"Dat's hit!" said Dilsey. "Now yer talkin', Miss Dumps; dat's er mean
wite man, an' he mighter git mad erlong us, an' take us all fur his
niggers."

"But we ain't black, Diddie an' me," said Dumps.

"Dat don't make no diffunce ter him; he des soon hab wite niggers ez
black uns," remarked Dilsey, consolingly; and Dumps, being now
thoroughly frightened, said,

"Well, I'm er goin' ter put my pen'ence in de Lord. I'm er goin' ter