Part 14 (1/2)
”He is here?”
”He is seated on the lawn just outside, Madame,” Ruffin hastened to rea.s.sure her. ”I thought at the last moment I'd better have him wait until I received Colonel Lee's consent to the interview.”
”I'm glad you did.”
”Oh, it will be all right, I a.s.sure you!”
”He might not wish to see a reporter--”
”So I told the young man.”
”I'm afraid--”
”I'll pave the way, Madame. I'll pave the way. Colonel Lee and I are life-long friends. Will you kindly announce me?”
”The Colonel has just ridden up to the stables to give some orders about his horses. He'll be here in a moment.”
Lee stepped briskly into the room and extended his hand.
”It's you, Ruffin. My apologies. I was called out to see a neighbor. I should have been here to receive you.”
”No apologies, Colonel, Mrs. Lee has been most gracious.”
The mistress of the house smiled.
”Make yourself at home, Mr. Ruffin. I shall hope to see you at dinner.”
Ruffin stood respectfully until Mrs. Lee had disappeared.
”Pray be seated,” Lee invited.
Ruffin seated himself on the couch and watched his host keenly.
Lee took a cigar from the mantel and offered it.
”A cigar, Ruffin?”
”Thanks.”
”Now make yourself entirely at home, my good friend.”
The planter lighted the cigar, blew a long cloud of smoke and settled in his seat.
”I'm glad to learn from Mrs. Lee that you have read the book I sent you--the Abolitionist firebrand.”
”Yes.”
Lee quietly walked to the mantel and got the volume.
”I have it here.”