"Well, I wish I was a trick nigger, then," remarked Dumps, gravely.

"Lordy, Miss Dumps, yer'd better not be er talkin' like dat," said
Dilsey, her eyes open wide in horror. "Hit's pow'ful wicked ter be trick
niggers."

"I don't know what's the matter with Dumps," said Diddie; "she's
gettin' ter be so sinful; an' ef she don't stop it, I sha'n't sleep with
her. She'll be er breakin' out with the measles or sump'n some uv these
days, jes fur er judgment on her; an' I don't want ter be catchin' no
judgments just on account of her badness."

"Well, I'll take it back, Diddie," humbly answered Dumps. "I didn't know
it was wicked; and won't you sleep with me now?"

Diddie having promised to consider the matter, the little folks walked
slowly on to the house, Dilsey and Chris and Riar all taking turns in
telling them the wonderful spells and cures and troubles that Daddy Jake
had wrought with his "trick-bags."




CHAPTER XVII.

WHAT BECAME OF THEM.


Well, of course, I can't tell you _all_ that happened to these little