“Um hum, you been a giving of her more o’ that walerian!”
“Deed I aint, mammy, which she hasn’t needed of it.”
When Pina and her mother and brother had had their breakfast, the girl prepared some rich and delicate chocolate and some nice light muffins for her mistress’s morning meal, and took them up to the lady’s chamber.
Drusilla was awake, though pale and worn.
After having bathed her face and hands with diluted Florida water, she consented to take a little of the refreshments that Pina brought and sat upon a stand by her bedside.
While Drusilla sat up in bed and sipped her chocolate, Pina broached the subject of her mother’s presence in the house.
“Mist’ess, I want to tell you, ma’am, as my ole mammy has come to see me, a little bit. I hope you has nothing of no objection now, ma’am?”
“None in the world, Pina. Mr. Lyon——” She had nearly broken down and wept again when she pronounced his name; but she gasped, recovered herself and went on—“Mr. Lyon used to object to having even your relatives come to the house, but now that he is not here their coming or going can make no difference.”
“And you don’t object on your own account, ma’am?”
“No, Pina, no; I don’t. It is good to have your mother to come to see you. I wish, oh, how I do wish I had a mother to come to see me, in my great trouble!” she added, with a little sob.