"I'm on a private errand," he said, "and since 'tis too early yet to see the prisoners, I thought I'd drop in and learn how you're faring."
She suspected that he was sent to spy by his master.
"I keep body and soul together, an' that's all I ever shall do," she answered, little thinking that John Lee had counted her guineas but a few weeks before. "Even so I have to thank they Yankees to the Prison."
He marvelled at her cunning.
"Do you hear anything of that fine gentleman, Master Cecil Stark?" he inquired.
"Ah, you was all in love with him to Fox Farm, I hear. I wish there was more like him."
John did not answer, and his grandmother jeered.
"I see how 'tis! Your nose be out of joint. What did I tell you, Jack? Broken hearts—broken fiddlesticks! Ban't the wench's heart as have broke, anyhow. So her throwed you over for a properer man?"
"No, by God! But——"
"You'm minded to let her off her bargain? Then the bigger fool you!"