"I ain't gwineter let nothin' happen to him, Miss Margaret. He jes' as safe with me as he is with you. Ain't I tuk good keer of him all winter?"
The child did look the picture of health and wholesomeness. His cheeks were glowing now from his chase of Louis and his eyes were bright. But at the mention of his going they overflowed.
"Mama, I don't want to go! Why can't I stay wiv you and Louis?"
"Oh, darling!" It broke her heart to send him away.
Mammy Cely was to take Philip to his uncle's office on F Street. When she got there Mr. De Jarnette was just starting to leave the place with some papers.
"Take him on to the B. and O.," he directed. "I have to see a man on North Capitol, but I will be at the station before train time."
"Unker Wichard, let me go wiv you," begged Philip. "I won't bovver you."
Mr. De Jarnette considered. It was but a step from North Capitol to the station, and he wanted to see the man but for a moment.
"All right, Philip." Adding to the old woman, "We will meet you at the B. and O."
"Marse Richard," said Mammy Cely, with unaccountable shrinking from letting the child go out of her keeping, "please, sir, don't take him. I—I done promise Miss Margaret I ain't gwineter let nothin' happen to him. Look lak I can't bear to have him outer my sight. No, sir."