“That’s because you’s a fool; for I hadn’t, and that’s a fact, in her sitivation, too! Go ’long gal; what you know?”
Meanwhile, Leo watched for an opportunity to execute the commission entrusted to him. He did not find one until the afternoon, when mammy and Pina being seated at their early dinner, sent Leo with an armful of wood up to the lady’s chamber to replenish the fire.
When the boy had done that duty, swept up the hearth, and replaced the shovel and tongs, he turned to where his mistress sat, in her chair, pale, silent, and motionless as a statue, and he drew the letter from his pocket, and offered her, saying, respectfully:
“From the gentleman who was here yesterday, ma’am.”
Drusilla mechanically took the letter, and stared blankly at the boy for a moment.
“Where did you get this?” she inquired, as she broke the seal; and her voice sounded strangely to her attendant as she asked the question.
“From the gentleman who was here yesterday, ma’am, as I said,” repeated Leo.
“Is he here to-day?”
“No, ma’am.”
“When then did you get this?”