“How thoughtful you are. And how thankful I ought to be that I have you to think for me and to take care of me at this crisis,” said Drusilla, with feeling.
“Lor, honey, what’s the use of my having lived fifty year in this world if I aint thoughtful? And what call you to be thankful to me, for doing of that which it is my bounden duty to do, seeing I’m paid for it?” replied mammy, laughing, for her spirits were rising with the excitement of the journey before her.
“Ah, nurse, there are some services that cannot be purchased or paid for, and yours are of that sort.”
“Not a bit, honey. And now the time is up and we’s all ready. And here’s everything you can possibly want. And Leo, he told me to tell you as the carriage was waiting.”
“Thank you; we will go then.”
“Yes, honey.——And, now, Pina, you be good gal and take care of the house while your missus is gone,” said the nurse, turning to her daughter.
“Yes, mammy. When will missus be home?”
“When you sees her, you fool; and not a minute sooner. And mind you have everything ready for her when she comes; fire made in her room and all; mind that, or it will be the worse for you.”
“Yes, mammy.”
Drusilla gave a last glance around the room, so full of pleasing and painful memories—the room which she felt she might never see again; and then, silently commending herself to Providence, she left it and led the way down stairs.