“But how much?” questioned Joanne, bewildered at this very casual way of making cakes.
“Well, honey, dat ’pends upon how many dey is to cook fo’,” was the answer, and this was all the satisfaction she could get, so for the present she gave up the idea of emulating Unc’ Aaron in the preparation of griddle cakes.
CHAPTER IV
CHICO
UNC’ AARON had lived on the place all his life. As it changed owners he went with the property as one might say. His little log cabin, where he lived alone, was near the road and not far from a small negro settlement. He was one of the few now remaining of the old-fashioned type who preferred the old order to the new, and was a decent, law-abiding, self-respecting old person. He knew where the best nuts were, where the largest persimmons grew, where the wild creatures hid, where was the safest swimming pool, and to what point to direct fishermen who came up for bass fishing. All these things he was teaching Pablo, whom he took under his wing from the moment of his arrival. As soon as Mr. Pattison became owner of the property Unc’ Aaron instituted himself as general factotum, and took his position as a matter of course. He was always on hand to open the gate for the automobile when it appeared with a party of jolly weekenders, and to offer his services for any and all kinds of work. Joanne doted on him and he considered her a guest to be specially honored.
With her grandfather and Cousin Ned as instructors, Joanne was not long in feeling perfectly at ease on Chico, and was so confident that one day she said to Pablo, who to be commanded was to obey, “you may put the saddle on Chico; I am going for a little ride.” Pablo adored Chico, but he also adored Joanne, who had plead his cause on shipboard, and whatever he may have thought, he would never stand in the way of her doing anything that pleased her.
So he watched her canter down the long lane toward the gate and then returned to his work of feeding the pigs.
Joanne had been gone but a short time when along came Unc’ Aaron. He went into the stable and at once missed Chico.
“Whar dat dere Cheeky?” he inquired.
“Miss Joanne she have him to ride,” responded Pablo.
“She ain’t gone off de place, is she?” said Unc’ Aaron.