"Not a bit ob one, sah," she answered.
"How many are there in the house?" he asked.
"Only de captain and de missus, and us two old wimmin and yo'se'f."
"And when does the captain expect the others to come in? His men come here, I suppose."
"Some ob 'em does, but not many. Some be heah to-night, I 'pine."
"And some others will never come," said Dick.
"Dar, dar yo' am," the old negress said with something of pride in her tone. "Yo' jis' leab dat on dar an hour, and yo' won't know yo'se'f, shua. No pain kin stay whur dat am."
"I hope you are right, auntie. The kindest old lady I ever knew looked just like you. I hope you are right, and that you won't forget that I am here when the grub is passed around. I am a trifle hungry, and a drink of cold water would go particularly good just now."
"Yo' shall hab it, child, yo' jis' bet!"
She gathered up her basin and things and waddled out, for she was very fat, and in a few minutes returned with a pitcher of sparkling water.