"Hish-sh, Walley, don't talk so loud! our oberseer ain't far off. Brudder 'Lisha, he bin out from town."
"Well!" exclaimed Valentine, with breathless interest, bending forward.
"W'en you hear from Fannie las'?"
"Not for two weeks. Why do you ask? Have you heard from her? Speak! oh, for Heaven's sake, speak!" exclaimed Valentine, breathlessly.
"Fannie done got de feber."
"Oh, God!"
"Brudder 'Lisha, he done bin 'ere dis mornin' and tell we-dem."
"Oh, Heaven! oh, when was she taken? Who is with her? Is she——"
"Dunno nuffin 'tall 'bout it, 'cept 'tis she's got de feber. Brudder 'Lisha, he done bin dere to her place, an' heern it."
"Where is Elisha?"