“What is what, nurse?” questioned Drusilla, with calm dignity.
“That boy—which I believe he’s lying, and if he is I will chastise him well for it—says how you has ordered the carriage to go to Washington immediate; which I know, ma’am, you would never think of doing nothing so unprudent; and I’ll give it to Leo well for scaring of me with his lies.”
“Leo has told you no falsehood. I have ordered the carriage to take me to the city,” said Drusilla, calmly.
“Well, ma’am, I hope you’ll follow my ’vice and think better of it, and do no such undiscreet thing,” said mammy, grimly.
“I have no choice, nurse. This is not with me a matter of will, but of necessity. I must go to Washington to take the night coach for Western Virginia.”
At this announcement, mammy stared for a moment in speechless consternation. Then lifting both her hands, she exclaimed:
“To take the night coach for Wes’ Wirginy! Well, Lord! And is you crazy?”
“No, not crazy; though I know how strange my purpose must seem to you,” answered Drusilla, quietly, as she folded some white linen collars, and placed them in her bag.
“And DOES you know the dangers?”
“Of the road? Well, I recollect that there was a coach upset on the Hogback Mountain, and nine passengers killed or wounded, only last spring.”