Part 37 (1/2)

CHAPTER XXVII

A PRISONER OF WAR

”But what can we do, s...o...b..ll?” asked Jeanne her voice trembling with emotion. ”How can I see him?”

”De missus takes a nap ebery day,” said the darky. ”An' sumtimes she calls me ter set in de room s'posin' Ma.s.sa d.i.c.k want anything. Sumtimes she tells Feliciane ter do it. We'll jest wait tell she tells me ter do it, an' den I'll let yer in. We'll hab ter watch sha'p elsen she'll ketch us.”

”We will,” said Jeanne. ”I would not care for myself, but I would not like to get you into trouble.”

”Nebber you mind me, lill' missy. You'se been moughty good ter me, an'

I'll stan' anything ter help yer see yer brudder.”

”Thank you, s...o...b..ll,” and Jeanne's eyes filled with tears at this evidence of affection. ”When I can I am going to help you to get back to your mother. I will never forget what you are doing for me.”

”Dat's all right, missy. Jest you wait tell I does sumthin' an' den talk.

Time nuff den! Now I mus' run back. Done want missus ter know dat I hab been talkin' ter yer.”

”I'll go a different way, and she won't suspect us,” said Jeanne and the two separated.

Two days, full of anxiety to Jeanne, pa.s.sed before s...o...b..ll was called to attend d.i.c.k. Waiting only until she heard the door of Madame's chamber click, the darky sped to Jeanne's room and called her.

”Nuffin' couldn't a happened bettah,” she said. ”Missus Adele, she's gone ter town; an' tuk Feliciane with huh. Jeff's gwine huntin' wid marster an' Mistah La Chaise. I ain't afeerd ob de res' ob de n.i.g.g.as. k.u.m now, missy, an' yer'll hab a right smaht while wid yer brudder.”

Jeanne started up eagerly and ran down the stairs to d.i.c.k's chamber. Her brother was lying fully dressed on a couch with his back toward her. He did not turn at her entrance and before she had time to address him, s...o...b..ll darted through the door.

”Foh de land sake, missy, git outen heah quick,” she whispered. ”Ole missus am a k.u.min' back.”

Her terror communicated itself to Jeanne and the girl stopped stock still in the middle of the floor. The click, click of Madame's shoes could be heard distinctly in the hall. To go out would be to meet her, and for the nonce the spirit of the girl quailed. Glancing quickly about her the heavily curtained window caught her eye and she sprang toward it. It was but the work of a moment to ensconce herself behind its voluminous folds.

Scarcely had she done so when Madame entered.

”I thought I heard some one,” she said suspiciously. ”Have you been attending to Master d.i.c.k, s...o...b..ll?”

”Does yer want anyting now, Ma.s.sa d.i.c.k?” asked s...o...b..ll going to the lad's side, gladly ignoring the lady's first remark.

”Give me a drink, please,” said d.i.c.k weakly.

”I will give it to him myself,” said Madame. ”You may leave the room, s...o...b..ll. Master d.i.c.k and I want to have a little talk all by ourselves.”

”Yes'm,” acquiesced s...o...b..ll, but she lingered loth to leave Jeanne.

”At once,” commanded Madame sharply. ”Why do you loiter when I tell you to go?”

”Yes'm; I'm a-gwine now,” and the girl left the room reluctantly.

”You feel much better, do you not, my boy?” and the lady stroked the lad's hair gently.

”Yes, Cherie.”