There was a catch in the Negro’s voice as he
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he old colonel’s spell of talking seldomlasted long, and now he fell to eating in silence;but his face was the face of one in a dream.Ike waited on him until he had done, and then,clearing the things away, slipped out, leavinghim to sit and muse in his chair by the window. 74 THE COLONEL’S AWAKENING “Look hyeah, Lize,” said the old servant,as he entered his wife’s cabin a little later.“ Pleggoned ef I didn’t come purt’ nigh brekin’down dis mo’nin’.” “ Wha’ ’s de mattah wif you, Ike?” “ Jes’ a-listenin’ to ol’ Mas’ a-sittin’ daha-talkin’ lak it was de ol’ times, —a-sendin’messages to ol’ Miss Randolph, dat ’s been daidtoo long to talk about, an’ to Mas’ Tom Daniels,dat went acrost de wateh ruther ’n tek de oaf *legiance.” “ Oomph,” said the old lady, wiping her eyeson her cotton apron. «“ Den he expectin’? Mas’ Bob an’ Mas’ Stanthome to-morrer. ’Clah to goodness, when hesay dat I lak to hollahed right out.” “Den you would ’a’ fixed it, would n’t you?Set down an’ eat yo’ breakfus’, Ike, an’ don’tyou nevah let on when Mas’ Estridge talkin’,you jes’ go “long *bout yo’ wuk an’ keep yo’mouf shet, ’ca’se ef evah he wake up now hegwine to die right straight off.” “« Lawd he’p him not to wake up den, ’ca’sehe ol’, but we needs him. I do’ know whut I’ddo ef I didn’t have Mas’ Bob to wuk fu’. Yougot ol’ Miss Randolph’s present ready fu’ him ? ” 75
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