I handed her a silver half-dollar. Her eyes fastened on me. I had made another mistake.
"If that is not enough," said I, "you shall have more," showing her a one-dollar Confederate note.
"Oh, this is a plenty," she replied; "but I was a-wonderin' to see silver agin."
"I have kept a little for hard times," I said.
"You have? Well, the sight of it is cert'n'y good for sore eyes."
"Can I reach Lee's Mill before dark?" I asked.
"Well, I reckin you kin, ef you walk fast enough," she said; "anyhow, you kin git to the camp on this side."
"Well, good day, madam; I wish you well," said I.
"Good-by, Mister," she said.
I had already opened the gate, when I heard her come to the door; she raised her voice a little, and said,--