Up the steps the gentleman ran, pausing to pick up the gloves and the bit
of vine. The negro groaned. Then in the open door, "Nellie!" he called,
"Nellie!"
The woman heard the call, and going back quickly to her seat by the fire,
threw her apron over her head.
"Abram!" was the next call; then, "Aggie!"
She sat quite still, and the master, running up the kitchen steps and
coming in at the door, found her so.
"Aggie!"
"Yes, suh."
"Why didn't you answer me?"
The veiled figure rocked a little from side to side.
"What the mischief is the matter?" walking up to the woman and pulling the
apron from over her face. "Where is your Miss Nellie?"
"I dun'no', suh; but yo' supper is ready, Mass Johnnie."
"Has your mistress driven anywhere?"
"De horse is in de stable, suh." The woman now rose as if to meet a climax,
but her eyes were still on the fire.
"Did she go out walking?"
"Dis mawnin', suh."
"This morning!" he repeated, slowly, wonderingly, "and has not come back
yet?"
The woman began to tremble, and her eyes, shining and terrified, glanced
furtively at her master.
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