Layson, however, much as he was now annoyed by the old darky's hesitation about opening the stable door for him, himself, did not propose to chide him for having kept his trust and held it closed to others. "You mustn't mind Neb," he said to Holton. "He's a privileged character around here. I had told him to admit no one, and, as usual, he obeyed my orders blindly."
"Yes, suh," Neb declared, delighted, "went it blind, suh."
"His obedience," his master went on boastingly, "is really phenomenal. He wouldn't open that door for anybody. He'd guard the key with his own life." He turned to Neb. "Wouldn't you, now, Neb?"
Neb was disconcerted. It was true enough that from most people he certainly would have guarded that key with his life. But at that moment there was one within the stable from whom he had not guarded it. "Yes—yessah!" he said hesitantly. And as he said it he would have given anything he had if he could have laid his hands upon that self-same key.
Frank smiled at him. "But I suppose you'll let me have a look at her."
"Yes—yessuh—in a—in a minute, suh."
Layson was annoyed. "Why not at once?" He was beginning to be frightened. Could something Neb was trying to hide have happened to the mare?
"Bekase—bekase—" Ned stammered, "well, to tell de trufe, suh, bekase I is afeared she ain't quite dressed."
"Not dressed! The mare not dressed! Have you lost your senses? Open that door—quick!"
"Marse Frank, I cain't. I nachully jus' cain't."