Sylvia went up to her room wondering why her mother and father seemed so serious, when everything was so lovely. She had almost forgotten her adventure of the previous night, and went happily to bed with Flora's pretty gift on the light-stand beside her bed.
CHAPTER XIV
MR. ROBERT WAITE
It was a very sober little darky who came up to Sylvia's room the next morning. She set down the pitcher of water and moved silently toward the door.
"What's the matter, Estralla?" Sylvia called; for usually Estralla was all smiles, and had a good deal to say.
Estralla shook her head. "Nuffin', Missy. I knowed you couldn't do nuffin' 'bout it. My mammy says how nobody can."
"Wait, Estralla! What do you mean?" exclaimed Sylvia, sitting up in bed.
"I'se gwine to be sold! Jes' like I tells you. My mammy was over to
Massa Waite's house las' night, and she hears ober dar dat Massa
Robert's gwine to sell off every nigger what ain't workin'—this week!"
Estralla's voice had drifted into her old-time wail.
"Oh, Estralla! What can I do?" and Sylvia was out of bed in a second, standing close beside the little colored girl.
"I dunno, Missy Sylvia. I 'spec' dar ain't nuffin' you kin do. But you has been mighty good to me," Estralla replied. "It's mighty hard to go off and leave my mammy an' never see you-all no more, Missy Sylvia. I dunno whar I'll be sent."