with all the
hospitality of her Southern nature roused to action. "Surely you'll have
supper with me," she said. "Sonsie is here to get it and will have it
directly."

There was no good reason for refusing, although he revolted against
taking supper in that humble cabin, with possibly that old woman at the
table; but he swallowed his pride and, signifying his assent, went
outside, where they came upon Mandy Ann in a crouching attitude under
the open casement. She was listening, of course, but sprang to her feet
as the two appeared, and said in response to her mistress's "What are
you doing here?" "Nothin', Miss Dory, fo' de Lawd, nothing, but huntin'
on de groun' for somethin' what done drap out de windy upstars."

The stranger knew she was lying, and Eudora knew it, but said nothing
except to bid the girl get up and assist Sonsie with the supper. Mandy
Ann had once said of her mistress to Jake, "She hain't no sperrit to
spar," and Jake had replied, "Lucky for you, Mandy Ann, that she hain't
no sperrit, for ef she had she'd of done pulled every har out of your
head afore now."

Mandy Ann knew that neither her hair, nor any part of her person, was in
danger from her young mistress, and after a few more scratches in the
dirt after an imaginary lost article, she arose and joined Sonsie, to
whom Eudora gave a few instructions, and then with her guest walked
across the clearing to a bench which Jake had made for her, and which
was partially sheltered by a tall palm. Here they sat down while he
unfolded his plan, plainly and concisely, and leaving no chance for
opposition, had the crushed, quivering creature at his side felt
inclined to make it. As Mandy Ann had said she hadn't much spirit, and
what little she had was slain as she listened, while her face grew white
as her dress, and her hands were linked together on her lap. The sun had
just gone down, and the full moon was rising and throwing its light upon
the clearing and the girl, whose face and attitude touched her
companion, cold and hard as he was, but he must carry his point.

"You see it is for the best and you promise; you will remember," he
said, taking one of her hands and wondering to find it so cold.

"Yes, oh, yes," she replied, every word a gasp. "I thought--I hoped--you
had done come to take,--or to stay--not here, but somewhar--but I see
you can't. You know best. I ain't fittin' to go yet, but I'll try, and I
promise all you ask; but don't let it be lo