for me. I won't speak--tell about this. I'm not on your side, but
I'm not going to get a helpless man into more trouble. You may trust
Aun' Jinkey and her grandson."

"Dat you kin, mars'r," Chunk ejaculated with peculiar emphasis.

"God bless you, then, for a woman who has a heart. I'm quite content
that you're not an angel," and a smile so lighted up the soldier's
features that she thought she had never seen a pleasanter looking
man.

Worried indeed that she was returning so much later than usual, she
hastened homeward. Half-way up the path to the house she met a tall,
slender negro girl, who exclaimed, "Hi, Miss Lou, ole miss des
gettin' 'stracted 'bout you, en mars'r sez ef you ain' at supper in
five minits he's gwine down to Aun' Jinkey en know what she mean,
meckin' sech' sturbence in de fambly."

"How absurd!" thought the girl. "Being a little late is a
disturbance in the family." But she hastened on, followed by the
girl, who was employed in the capacity of waitress. This girl, Zany
by name, resented in accordance with her own ideas and character the
principle of repression which dominated the household. She threw a
kiss toward the cabin under the trees and shook with silent laughter
as she muttered, "Dat fer you, Chunk. You de beat'nst nigger I eber
see. You mos' ez bro'd ez I is high, yit you'se reachin' arter me. I
des like ter kill mysef lafin' wen we dance tergeder," and she
indulged in a jig-step and antics behind Miss Lou's back until she
came in sight of the windows, then appeared as if following a
hearse.