She took up the traveling-bags and led the way up the narrow stairway which made out of the central hall.
"Sally," said Josephine, turning, when they reached the stairway, "where's my own maid--the other--Jeanne ?" "I dunno, Ma'am," said Sally.

"I reckon she's all right, though.
Dis heah's yuah room, Ma'am, if you please." She shuffled ahead, into a tall and wide room, which overlooked the lawn and the approaching road.
Once alone, Josephine flung herself face downward upon the bed and burst into a storm of tears, her fine courage for once outworn.
She wept until utterly spent.

Sally, after leaving the room, had returned unnoticed, and when at last Josephine turned about she saw the old woman standing there.

A hard hand gently edged under her heaving shoulder.

"Thah now, honey, doan' cry! God A'mighty, girl, doan' cry dat-a-way.