"You kin stan' right in de middle dat big, sta'y-way," said Old Sam, the ancient negro, who was his informant, "an' you kin heah all you a-mind to wivout goin' on up no fudda.

Mist' Sydney an' Mist' Jawge talkin' louduh'n I evuh heah nobody ca'y on in nish heah house! Quollin', honey, big quollin'!" "All right," said George shortly.

"You go on back to your own part of the house, and don't make any talk.

Hear me ?" "Yessuh, yessuh," Sam chuckled, as he shuffled away.

"Plenty talkin' wivout Sam! Yessuh!" George went to the foot of the great stairway.