“Who is Jake?” the man asked, and Eudora replied, “The negro who has taken care of us since I can remember. He is free, but does for us, and is in Richmond now, valleying for a gentleman who pays him big wage, and he spends it all for us.”
The stranger flushed at her words indicative of her station, and then suggested that they go outside where they could be sure of being alone, as he had much to say to her.
“Perhaps you will walk part way with me on my return to the ‘Hatty,’” he said, glancing at his watch and feeling surprised to find how late it was.
Instantly Eudora, who had seemed so listless, woke up with all the hospitality of her Southern nature roused to action. “Surely you’ll have supper with me,” she said. “Sonsie is here to get it and will have it directly.”
There was no good reason for refusing, although he revolted against taking supper in that humble cabin, with possibly that old woman at the table; but he swallowed his pride and, signifying his assent, went outside, where they came upon Mandy Ann in a crouching attitude under the open casement. She was listening, of course, but sprang to her feet as the two appeared, and said in response to her mistress’s “What are you doing here?” “Nothin’, Miss Dory, fo’ de Lawd, nothing, but huntin’ on de groun’ for somethin’ what done drap out de windy upstars.”
The stranger knew she was lying, and Eudora knew it, but said nothing except to bid the girl get up and assist Sonsie with the supper. Mandy Ann had once said of her mistress to Jake, “She hain’t no sperrit to spar,” and Jake had replied, “Lucky for you, Mandy Ann, that she hain’t no sperrit, for ef she had she’d of done pulled every har out of your head afore now.”