Margaret withdrew to her own sitting-room, and threw herself upon her knees to pray. Soon rising she touched the bell and summoned Forrest.
The old man came in looking very sorrowful.
“How did it become known that you left the premises last night, Forrest?”
“Somebody must o’ ’spicioned me, chile, an’ been on de watch.”
“Yes! yes! I see now! that was it; but, Forrest, this is what I called you to say: In future, whenever Mrs. Houston asks you a question about your services to your mistress, refer her to me.”
“Yes, Miss Marget.”
“You may go now.”
“Pardon, Miss Marget; I wants to say somefin as’ll set your min’ at ease ’bout dat letter.”
“Ah, yes, you mailed it?”
“True for you, Miss Marget; but listen; de pos’ office was shet up. So I jes drap de letter inter de letter-box. Same minit der was two colored boys an’ a white man drap as many as five or six letters in long o’ mine. So even ef de pos’masser could o’ see me t’rough de winder, which he couldn’t, how he gwine know which letter ’mong de half-dozen I drap in?”