Norton's eyes were dreaming again and Andy went on insinuatingly: "Now, wouldn't hit be better, sah, des ter pick out one good _reliable_ n.i.g.g.e.r dat yer knows pussonally--an' move him?"

Norton looked up impatiently:

"Sign it!"

"Ya.s.sah! Cose, sah, you knows bes', sah, but 'pears ter me lak er powerful waste er good money des flingin' it broadcast!"

Norton lifted his finger warningly and Andy hastened to sign his name with a flourish of the pen. He looked at it admiringly:

"Dar now! Dey sho know dat's me! I practise on dat quereque two whole mont's----"

Norton folded the will, placed it in an envelope, addressed it and lifted his drawn face:

"Tell the Clerk of the Court that I executed this will to-night and placed it in this desk"--his voice became inaudible a moment and went on--"Ask him to call for it to-morrow and record it for me."

Minerva, who had been listening and watching with the keenest interest, pressed forward and asked in a whisper:

"Ya.s.sah, but whar's you gwine ter be? You sho ain't gwine ter die ter-night?"

Norton quietly recovered himself and replied angrily:

"Do I look as if I were dying?"

"Nasah!--But ain't dey no way dat I kin help ye, major? De young folks is gwine ter leave, sah----"

"They are not going until I'm ready!" was the grim answer.

"Nasah, but dey's gwine," the black woman replied tenderly. "Ye can't stop 'em long. Lemme plead fur 'em, sah! You wuz young an' wild once, major"--the silvery gray head sank low and the white lips quivered--"you take all yer money frum Mister Tom--what he care fer dat now wid love singin' in his heart? Young folks is young folks----"

Norton lifted his head and stared as in a dream.

"Won't ye hear me, sah? Can't I go upstairs an' speak de good word ter Mister Tom now an' tell him hit's all right?"

A sudden idea flashed into Norton's mind.

The ruse would be the surest and quickest way to get Tom into the room alone.

"Yes, yes," he answered, glancing at her. "You can say that to him now----"

Minerva laughed:

"I kin go right up dar to his room now an' tell 'im dat you're er waitin'

here wid yer arms open an' yer heart full er love an' fergiveness?"

"Yes, go at once"--he paused--"and keep Miss Helen there a few minutes. I want to see him first--you understand----"

"Ya.s.sah! ya.s.sah!" Minerva cried, hastening to the door followed by Andy. "I understands, I understands"--she turned on Andy. "Ye hear dat, you fool n.i.g.g.e.r? Ain't I done tole you dat hit would all come out right ef I could des say de good word? Gloree! We gwine ter hab dat weddin' all over agin!

You des wait till yer seen dat cake I gwine ter bake----"

With a quick turn she was about to pa.s.s through the door when Andy caught her sleeve:

"Miss Minerva!"

"Yas, honey!"

"Miss Minerva," he repeated, nervously glancing at Norton, "fer Gawd's sake don't you leave me now! You'se de only restful pusson in dis house!"

With a triumphant laugh Minerva whispered:

"I'll be right back in a minute, honey!"

Norton had watched with apparent carelessness until Minerva had gone. He sprang quickly to his feet, crossed the room and spoke in an excited whisper:

"Andy!"

"Ya.s.sah!"

"Go down to that front gate and stay there. Turn back anybody who tries to come in. Don't you allow a soul to enter the lawn."

"I'll do de best I kin, sah," he replied hastening toward the door.

Norton took an angry step toward him:

"You do exactly as I tell you, sir!"

Andy jumped and replied quickly:

"Ya.s.sah, but ef dem serenaders come back here you know dey ain't gwine pay no 'tensun ter no n.i.g.g.e.r talkin' to 'em--dat's what dey er celebratin'

erbout----"

Norton frowned and was silent a moment:

"Say that I ask them not to come in."

"I'll tell 'em, sah, but I spec I'll hatter climb er tree 'fore I explains. .h.i.t to 'em--but I tell 'em, sah--ya.s.sah."

As Andy slowly backed out, Norton said sternly:

"I'll call you when I want you. Stay until I do!"

"Ya.s.sah," Andy breathed softly as he disappeared trembling and wondering.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE DREGS IN THE CUP