to work for the likes of yo'. I wuz jes' cuttin' 'cross fields through
yo'r yard. If Titus found me here, he'd kick me an' Fritz out."

"What is your name?"

"Caesar Augustus Jones, but they calls me Gustus. I wish I could work
for yo'."

Beth pondered a moment. "If you did, would you keep Fritz here?"

Gustus caught the trend of her thoughts. His eyes sparkled and his
teeth gleamed.

"Me and Fritz 'd stay all the time--nights, too, if yo' wanted."

"I'll ask papa. He'll take you to please me, I know. Come on."

Gustus hung back, and his face sobered.

"Why, what's the matter?"

"Titus 'll kick me."

"I won't let him. Come on."

Thus encouraged, Gustus and Fritz followed her as she ran to the front
steps, and on into a large old-fashioned hall. She stopped,
momentarily, to peek into rooms on either side. There were two
apartments on the right. She afterwards learned that they were parlor
and library. On the left was one spacious room designed either for a