Nicholas moodily
submits himself to be prepared, as Annette, more vivacious, keeps
interposing with various enquiries. She would like to know where
they are going to take little Nicholas; and when they will let her
go and see Daddy Bob and mother? "Now, you can take me; I know you
can!" she says, looking up at the messenger, and taking his hand
pertly.
"No-can't, little 'un! Mus' lef' 'um fo'h nuder time. You isn't
broder and sister-is ye?"
"No!" quickly replies the little girl, swinging his hand playfully;
"but I want to go where he goes; I want to see mother when he does."
"Well, den, little 'un (the negro sees he cannot overcome the
child's simplicity by any other means), dis child will come fo'h 'um
to-morrow-dat I will!"
"And you'll bring Nicholas back-won't you?" she enquires, grasping
the messenger more firmly by the hand.
"Sartin! no mistake 'bout dat, little 'uman." At this she takes
Nicholas by the hand, and retires to their little room in the cabin.
Here, like one of older years, she washes him, and dresses him, and
fusses over him.
He is merely a child for sale; so she combs his little locks, puts
on his new osnaburgs, arranges his nice white collar about his neck,
and makes him look so prim. And then she ties a piece of black
ribbon about his neck, giving him the bright appearance of a
school-boy on examination-day. The little girl's feelings seem as
much elated as would be a mother's at the prospect of her child
gaining a medal of distinction.
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