"Then you'd better come around to the kitchen. We'll see what we can find."
At this unheard-of generosity, Uncle Billy's eyes opened widely and he exploded in remonstrance.
"Now, hol' on dar, Miss Hallie! Hol' on. You ain' got none too much fo' yo'se'f, d'out stuffin' dis yere six-bit rat hole wid waffles an' milasses."
"William!" commanded his mistress.
"Yas'm," was the meek response, and Uncle Billy subsided into silence.
With a sigh, Mrs. Cary turned away toward the house. "Well, James, are you coming?"
But Jeems Henry, completely abashed before this miracle of kindness which he did not deserve, decided that it was time for him to be a man.
"Thank you, Miss Hallie," he gulped, "but f'um now on I reckon I gwine take keer of myse'f."
Mrs. Cary, pausing on the bottom step, raised her eyes heavenward in a short prayer that children such as these might somehow be protected from themselves.
"Well, James," she said, when she saw there was nothing more to be done. "I hope you'll be happy and contented. If you are not—come back to us. Perhaps, when the war is over, you'll find things a little more—comfortable. Good-by, James," and she held out her hand.