them
got to doing it? It would be kind of nice to have some kinfolks who
knew they were kin. I know you think I am conceited, but somehow I
believe the men would be more pleased about it than the women. Maybe
the women are afraid I'd take to visiting them like poor Cousin Ann!"

"Humph! Cousin Ann indeed!"

"But, Mumsy, she was real cousinish last night. There was a look in
her eyes that made me feel that she was almost claiming relationship.
She squeezed my hand in the quadrille, and when she came up to speak
to me after the darling old men let the cat out of the bag about its
being my debut party she was very near to kissing me."

"Well, I don't hold much to kissing strangers."

Mother and daughter were on the side porch, engaged in various
household duties, while this desultory discussion was going on.
Suddenly there appeared at the corner of the house old Uncle Billy. In
his hand he carried a small package wrapped in newspaper. He bowed and
bowed, wagging his head like a mechanical toy.

"You mus' 'scuse me, ladies, fer a walkin' up on you 'thout no
warnin', but I got a little comin' out gif fer the young lady, if she
don't think ol' Billy air too bold an' resumtious. It air jes' a bit
er jewilry what air been, so's ter speak, in my fambly fer goin' on a
hun'erd or so years. Ol' Mis, the gran'maw er my Miss Ann--Miss
Elizabeth Bucknor as was--gib it to ter my mammy fer faithfulness in
time er stress. It were when smallpox done laid low the white folks
an' my mammy nuss 'em though the trouble when ev'ybody, white and
black, wa' so scairt they runned off an' hid."

"Why, Uncle Billy, I think you are too lovely to give it to me. But
you ought to keep it."

"Well, it ain't ever been much use ter me, seein' as I can't wear a
locket, but I reckon you mought hang it roun' yo' putty neck
sometime."

He took off the newspaper wrapping, disclosing a flat velvet box much
rubbed and soiled. Touching a spring the lid flew open, disclosing a
large cameo of rare and intricate workmanship, with a gold filigree
border and gold back.

"I'd like ter give it ter you, if you won't be a thinkin' it's
free-niggerish of me."

"Why, I think it is perfectly lovely of you. It is a beautiful
locket--the most beautiful I ever saw. See, Mumsy, I can put it on my
little gold chain."

"No doubt!" Mrs. Buck looked distrustfully at Billy, but the old man
held himself so meekly and his manner was so respectful that her heart
was somew