"She is going among strangers, foreigners, possibly rivals and enemies."
"Yes, sir. Listen, chillun—now it's a-comin'!"
"She may need all your devotion. Be vigilant, therefore. Watch over her, care for her, think for her, pray for her; let her honor and happiness be the one charge and object of your lives."
"Yes, sir. Listen, chillun! you hears, don't you?"
A sharp reminder right and left brought out the responses "yes" and "yes" from Jim and Sally.
"And when you are far away you will remember all this that I have said to you; for, as I told you before, I feel, deep in my spirit, that your lady will need your utmost devotion," said Ishmael earnestly.
"You may count on me, for one, Mr. Ishmael, sir; not only to devote myself to my lady's sarvice, but to keep the ole 'oman and Sally in mind to go and do likewise," said Jim, with an air of earnest good faith that could not be doubted.
"That is right. I will take leave of you now. Good-by! God bless you!"
And Ishmael shook hands with them all around, and left them and walked back to the cottage.
The next day, being the Sabbath, he went with Hannah and Reuben and the professor to church. He had almost shrunk from this duty, in his dread of meeting Claudia there; but she was not present. Judge Merlin's pew was empty when they entered, and remained empty during the whole of the morning service.