The Colonel bowed and said that was his business, and early the next morning started on foot along the road he had trodden twice before, and which brought Eudora before him so vividly that it seemed as if she were walking at his side, and once, as some animal ran through the bushes near the grave at the turn of the road, he started at the sound as if it had been the rustle of Eudora’s white dress as he heard it that day.  He was beginning to get nervous, and by the time the clearing was reached he was as cold as he had been at home, when Peter brought him the hot-water bag and blanket.  He noticed the improvements which had been made in the place since he was there last, and knew it was Jake’s handiwork.  He had never seen the man, and shrank a little from meeting him, knowing how infinitely superior to himself in a moral way the poor African was.  He remembered Mandy Ann perfectly, and recognized her as she came to the door, shading her eyes with her hand to look at him; then she disappeared suddenly, and Jake, who was at the rear of the house, fixing a barrel to catch rain-water, was clutched by the arm, and nearly thrown backwards, as the girl exclaimed:  “For the Lawd’s sake, Jake, it’s comin’—­it’s comin’—­it’s hyar!”

“What’s comin’?  The las’ day, that you look so skeered?” Jake said, while Mandy Ann continued:  “De man from de Norf, Cunnel Crompton, you call him—­done come for lill chile!”

She put her apron over her face and began to cry, while Jake wiped his hands, and hurrying round the house, met the Colonel just as he reached the door.  There was not the least servility in Jake’s manner, although it was respectful, as he said, “How d’ye, Mas’r Crompton.  I’m shoo it’s you, an’ I’se right glad to see you, though I ’spects you done come for the lill chile, an’ I feel fit to bust when I think of partin’ wid her.  Walk in, walk in; take a cheer, an’ I’ll sen’ Mandy Ann for de lill chile.  She’s in de play-house I made her, jess dis side de graves, whar she sits an’ plays.  Thar’s a tree thar an’ she calls it de shady.”

“Thanks!” the Colonel said, taking a chair, while Jake went for Mandy Ann, and found her struggling with the child, not far from the door.

The chile had seen the stranger as soon as Mandy Ann; and as visitors were rare at the cabin, and she was fond of society, she left her sand pies, and her slice of bread and molasses, and started for the house, meeting Mandy Ann, who seized her, saying, “Come an’ have on a clean frock and be wassed.  Your face is all sticky, an’ han’s, too—­an’ de gemman from de Norf, de Cunnel, is hyar.”