“Boss, is you uns in airnest?”
Henley laughed, and told him that he thought he was, adding that Miss Guir was a friend of his.
“Now I knows you uns is jokin', 'case dey ain't got no friends in dis 'ere country.”
“But I am a stranger!” argued Paul.
“Well, sah, it ain't for de likes o' me to argify wid you uns, but ef you wants to know whar de house is, I kin show it to you; leastways I kin show you de road to git dar.”
“That's it; but tell me, don't the people about here like the Guirs?”
“Boss, ef dey's frens o' yourn, I reckon you knows all about 'em; maybe more'n I kin tell you, and I reckon it's saiftest for me to keep my mouf shet tight!”
“Why so? Explain. Surely Miss Guir is a very charming young lady.”
“I reckon she be, boss; dough for my part I ain't nebber seed her. Folks says as how it ain't good luck when she trabels on de road.”
“What do you mean? Are any of her people accused of crime?”