"I knows Marse Frank hab barred ebery window an' sealed ebery doah but dis one, an' gib me ohduhs to let no one in 'cept he is by. I stan's by dem ohduhs while dere's bref in my ol' body."
Holton was infuriated. "It's lucky for you I'm not your master!"
"Dat's what I t'ink, suh."
"If you was my nigger, I'd teach you perliteness with a black-snake whip! I'll see what Layson'll say to such sass as you've gin me. Jest you wait till you hear from him."
Neb was not impressed by the man's wrath. "Huhd from him afoah, suh. Oh, I'll wait, I'll wait."
He went up to the stable-door, unlocked it and stood in the open portal. Holton would have followed him, but Neb began to close the door.
"You'll wait, too, suh," said the negro, grinning, "on de outside, suh."
He closed and locked the door on the inside.
Holton was beside himself with wrath. "Damn him! Damn him!" he exclaimed. "Damn him and damn his proud young puppy of a master! I'll ruin him! I'll set my foot on him and smash him, yet!"
Baffled, he walked down the drive.