"He's gwine up to Chickahominy." Then to Jeems Henry he added something in low tones which made the young negro's eyes roll wildly with fear. "Dey tells me dat der's hants and ghoses over dar. I hopes dey'll git you."
"Stop that!" commanded Mrs. Cary. "You know very well, Uncle Billy, there are no such things as ghosts."
"Nor'm I don't, Miss Hallie," responded Uncle Billy, sticking tenaciously to his point, because he could plainly see Jeems Henry wavering. "'Twas jes las' night I hear one—moanin' 'roun' de smoke house. An' ef I ain't mighty fur wrong, she was smellin' arfter Jeems Henry."
At this wild fabrication, the reason for which she nevertheless appreciated, Mrs. Cary had hard work to hold back a smile, although she promptly reassured the terrified Jeems Henry.
"There now—there—that will do. Nothing of that kind will trouble you, James; you may take my word for it. If you are quite determined to go I shall not try to keep you. But what have you in that bundle?"
"Hi! Hi! Dat's de way to talk!" interrupted Uncle Billy, excitedly foreseeing means to prevent Jeems Henry's departure. "What you got in yo' bundle?"
Jeems Henry lifted his anguished eyes and gazed truthfully at his mistress.
"I ain't got nothin'—what don't b'long to me, Miss Hallie."
"I don't mean that," Mrs. Cary responded kindly. "But you have a long tramp before you. Have you anything to eat?"
"Nor'm, I ain't," and Jeems Henry seemed disturbed.