"What would you like to be doing, my sable friend?" he asked.
"Don't know 'zactly that I'd like to do anything in pertickler, Marse Jack, but dis chile hasn't killed nobody lately."
"You must learn to curb your savage instincts, Monday," said Harkaway. "But this I may tell you. It is possible that we shall be on the move sooner than you expect."
"Hooray! Golly, sah, dat's de good news, for suah. I'se been afraid I'se gwine ter rust out, 'stead ob wear out."
"What have you got in your hand?"
"Ki! What hab I got? A letter. I misremember dat I come in for somet'ing."
"Give it me."
Monday handed his master a letter and retired, without venturing on any further remark.
The epistle was directed in a delicate lady's hand and was highly perfumed.
Breaking the seal, Jack muttered: "From Lena Van Hoosen. Wants to see me at once. Something important to communicate. I'll go in half an hour. Lucky it was not this evening, as I have a special meeting of the Travelers' Club to attend."