Part 21 (1/2)
”Trufe, brudder! dat's me jes'! I'se de wretch! an' I wish how dis same wretch might hab de feber long o' de oder two, an' how I might die long of 'em, and how we might all go up to Marster's trone, and have de case 'cided whose wife dis 'ooman is for to be.”
”Governor! What! do you mean to say that the new overseer is tampering with your wife's fidelity to you?”
”Hish-s.h.!.+ he ain't fur off. Dunno what de debbil you mean wid your big words. But she lub fine dress, an' he gib it to her; she berry putty, mos' white, you know, an' he sen' me way off to de furres' fiel' to work.”
”Why don't you talk to her?”
”'Taint no use; she 'ny eberyting.”
”Why don't you speak to your master?”
”'Tain't no use; he won't nebber hear no 'plaints gin de oberseer.”
”I am very sorry for you, poor fellow; and I would like to give you comfort and counsel, but I must hurry away from you, and try to get leave to go to town, and see poor dear Fannie. If I were you, Governor, I would speak to Major Hewitt upon this subject. He never would permit such a wrong done you.”
”'Taint no use, I tell yer! But nebber min', Walley, listen yer; some ob dese yere days I fixes him!”
Valentine started at the demoniac look that, in a man usually so mild, accompanied these vague words; and, bidding the negro a hasty good-morning, he ran along the lane until he reached the house.
His own heart and brain were wild with grief and alarm as he hastened to the presence of his master, whom he did not doubt would now, in this extremity, permit him to go to the city.
Mr. Waring, in an irritable frame of mind, was walking up and down the front piazza, as Valentine stepped upon the floor.
”Well, what now?” he exclaimed, testily, at the sight of the young man's agitated countenance.
”My wife, sir; she has got the fever.”
”Sorry to hear it, but--how did you hear it, sir? I hope no one from that place has had the temerity to set foot upon these premises, in face of the prohibition?”
”No, sir; I happened to meet with Governor, Major Hewitt's man, and he had seen an acquaintance of ours from the city, who came from Fannie's house this morning and brought the news.”
”I wonder Major Hewitt does not take better care of his own interests than to permit stragglers from the city to infest his place. He will bring the pestilence among us before we know where we are,” said Mr.
Waring, angrily.
”But, Fannie, sir--my poor wife----”
”Well, what of her? I am sorry, of course--really sorry, Valentine. It is a pity you ever got married; if you had not, neither you nor Fannie would have had so much trouble. It was a very foolish piece of business!”
”Perhaps it was, sir; but people who love each other have a sort of propensity to get married. It can't be helped, I suppose; it's a way they've got.”
”And a bad way--very bad way--that I ought never to have sanctioned.”
”Nor imitated, sir!”
”You are an impertinent fellow! But I overlook that. There is some difference, I should judge, between you and me, and I certainly ought never to have consented to your taking that girl.”
”It is too late to say that now, sir!” said Valentine, with a sigh so heavy that Mr. Waring inquired, quickly:
”So you repent it, do you?”
”No; G.o.d Almighty knows I do not!” replied Valentine, with sorrowful earnestness; adding, ”but, oh, sir, I am losing precious time. I came here to ask you for a permit to go to town and see my wife.”