"How is Mesmie?" he asked.
"She's in mighty bad shape, dat's how she is!"
The Colonel stood a great deal from Timmie and Zack, for much less than a tenth of which he would have sent another negro off his place in double quick.
"Who is the lady?" he asked, not over pleased at her humor.
"Nem'min' who de lady is! But she's a suah-footed, elegant an' lovely angel, dat's got moh human kindness in her den anyone I sees a-lookin' at me!"
"Come, come," the Colonel frowned, "don't answer me in this childish way! Who is the lady?"
"Well, take a peep—bofe of you—but mind, don' make no fuss!"
She edged to one side, all the while watching Brent as they came near for the promised peep. His face flushed quickly, but the Colonel looked more carefully and, turning, whispered:
"I can't see her! Who is it?"
As she told them how Nancy had come, tears gathered in the old gentleman's eyes and his chin quivered with strong emotion.