A wondering smile flitted across the beloved face; then that mysterious
silence that bars all sight and speech fell between the freed spirit
hastening up the eternal highway and the trembling boy left sobbing
behind.
Mars' Nat turned away with tears in his eyes and looked out of the
window. "Through thick and thin, he's the one soul who loved me and
believed in me," he said, in a half whisper. "His poor, black hands
have upheld the old family standards and ideals far more faithfully than
mine, both in his slavery and his freedom."
Because of this there was no grave made for George in the forsaken
shadow of Brier Crook church. He was given a place on the hill, beside
the Chadwicks, whose name he had borne unsullied, and to whose honor he
had been proudly loyal.
"That was a gran' funeral occasion, sis' Sheba," exclaimed Aunt Susan,
as she took off the rusty crape veil that had served at the funerals of
two generations. "I reckon every cul'ud person around heah was present.
Three ministahs a helpin', an' fo'teen white families sendin' flowahs
with their cards on isn't to be seen every day in the yeah.
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