Part 50 (2/2)
”Have you seen Joseph Frowenfeld to-day?” he asked.
”He, he, he! W'at I got do wid Mawse Frowenfel'? I goes on de off side o' sich folks--folks w'at cann' 'have deyself no bette'n dat--he, he, he! At de same time I did happen, jis chancin' by accident, to see 'im.”
”How is he?”
Dr. Keene made plain by his manner that any sensational account would receive his instantaneous contempt, and she answered within bounds.
”Well, now, tellin' the simple trufe, he ain' much hurt.”
The doctor turned slowly and cautiously in bed.
”Have you seen Honore Grandissime?”
”W'y--das funny you a.s.s me dat. I jis now see 'im dis werry minnit.”
”Where?”
”Jis gwine into de house wah dat laydy live w'at 'e runned over dat ah time.”
”Now, you old hag,” cried the sick man, his weak, husky voice trembling with pa.s.sion, ”you know you're telling me a lie.”
”No, Mawse Chawlie,” she protested with a coward's frown, ”I swah I tellin' you de G.o.d's trufe!”
”Hand me my clothes off that chair.”
”Oh! but, Mawse Chawlie--”
The little doctor cursed her. She did as she was bid, and made as if to leave the room.
”Don't you go away.”
”But Mawse Chawlie, you' undress'--he, he!”
She was really abashed and half frightened.
”I know that; and you have got to help me put my clothes on.”
”You gwan kill yo'se'f, Mawse Chawlie,” she said, handling a garment.
”Hold your black tongue.”
She dressed him hastily, and he went down the stairs of his lodging-house and out into the street. Clemence went in search of her master.
CHAPTER XLIII
THE EAGLE VISITS THE DOVES IN THEIR NEST
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