He must not
be pettish, she remarks, holding him by the hand like a sister whose
heart glows with hope for a brother's welfare. She gives him in
charge of the messenger, saying, "Good by!" as she imprints a kiss
on his cheek, its olive hues changing into deep crimson.
The negro answers her adieu with "Good by, little dear! God bless
'um!" Nay, the native goodness of his heart will not permit him to
leave her thus. He turns round, takes her in his arms, kisses and
kisses her fair cheek. It is the truth of an honest soul, expressed
with tears glistening in his eyes. Again taking Nicholas by the
hand, he hastens through the passage of Mrs. Tuttlewell's house
where, on emerging into the street, he is accosted by that very
fashionable lady, who desires to know if he has got the boy "all
right!" Being answered in the affirmative, she gives a very
dignified-"Glad of it," and desires her compliments to Mr. Graspum,
who she hopes will extend the same special regards to his family,
and retires to the quietude of her richly-furnished parlour.
The gentleman dealer and his customer are waiting in the man
shambles, while the negro messenger with his boy article of trade
plod their way along through the busy streets. The negro looks on
his charge with a smile of congratulation. "Mas'r 'll laugh all over
'e clothes when he sees ye-dat he will!" he says, with an air of
exultation.
"I'd like to know where I'm goin' to afore I go much further,"
returns the boy, curtly, as he walks along, every few minutes asking
unanswerable questions of the negro.
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