“And poor little Owlet’s dog, Puck—don’t let any harm come to him.”
“Needn’ tell me dat, youn’ mist’ess. Dat doag allers sleeps wid de chillun. Ducky Darlin’ dotes on dat doag; it’s de only comfo’t she takes ebber since de po’ little lady was stole ’way; fo’ de po’ little lady’s sake, I fink it is, ca’se she won’t answer to no udder name but Ducky Darlin’, ca’se de little lady allers called her dat; so we-dem has fell into de way ob it, too. Oh, yes, youn’ mist’ess, dat doag gwine be well tuk care ob, an’ likewise dem birds. Dere’s de train comin’, youn’ mist’ess,” added the negro as the roar of the approaching engine was heard.
“Well, good-by, Puck. Don’t drive the horses fast going back. They have had a hard drive here. And if you should want to write to me, Dr. Shaw has kindly promised to be your penman. Before the end of the year I hope you will be able to read and write yourself.”
“Thank ’e, youn’ mist’ess. All yight, youn’ mist’ess. I’ll ’member all yer say,” said the negro.
Roma arose and took the proffered arm of Dr. Shaw to go out upon the platform, Mr. Stone following, and Puck bringing up the rear.
“I believe this is the first journey you have ever taken alone, my dear,” said Dr. Shaw.
“Oh, no—not by many. When my dear father was with General Lee I used always to go back and forth between school and home alone. Of late years, it is true, I have had companions, until now; but it is nothing to take this journey alone. It will be a pleasant summer day’s ride, through a very beautiful country.”
The train rushed, roaring and rattling, up to the platform and stopped. Roma happened to be the only passenger to get on at that station. Dr. Shaw put her in her seat, and he and Paul Stone shook hands with her. Puck pulled off his hat, bowed and grinned. The railway porter rattled her trunk on the baggage car. The engine gave a shrill whistle, and shot off, dragging the train behind it.
A long, pleasant summer day’s ride this really proved to Roma Fronde, who was strong and healthy enough to enjoy the rapid motion and the shifting scenes for many hours without the least fatigue or satiety.
After sixteen hours’ run the train reached Washington, at about eleven o’clock.