Mildred was right. Miss Ann did know the plans of her host and hostess. With windows and doors wide open and a whole family freely discussing their trip, it would have been difficult for one who retained the sense of hearing not to be aware that something was afoot. Miss Ann had heard and had determined to move on, but to which relation should she go? The faithful Billy was called in consultation. 205
“Billy, you have heard?”
“Yes, Miss Ann, I done hearn. I couldn’t help a hearin’ with niggers as full of it as whites.”
“I wonder why they did not talk openly to me of their plans.”
“Well, I reckon they’s kinder shy, kase me’n you’s a visitin’. I ’low we’s gotter move on, Miss Ann.” The old man’s face was drawn with woe. “I kinder felt it a bad sign when Marse Jeff Bucknor up’n took hisse’f off to Lou’ville, an’ now this talk ’bout the fambly a goin’ ter furren parts an’ a shuttin’ up Buck Hill. Th’ain’t no good gonter come of it—but howsomever we’s gotter pack up an’ leave.”
“But where are we going, Billy? Cousin Big Josh—”
“Lawsamussy, Miss Ann, please don’t mention that there domercile! Our ca’ige ain’t good fer that trip. That lane would be the endin’ er us-all. Don’t you reckon we’d better rise an’ shine to-morrow?”
“Yes, Billy, but where? There’s Cousin Little Josh and Cousin Sue and Cousin Tom and Philip Throckmorton and Cousin David’s oldest daughter, whose married name has escaped me, but she is living in Jefferson County. Could the horses go so far?” 206
“Miss Ann, I ain’t so sho’ ’bout the ca’ige, but I reckon if you don’t hurry Cupid an’ Puck none they’s got a lot er go in them yet. I hear tell Miss Milly an’ the two young ladies air a’ contemplatin’ a trip in ter Lou’ville in the mawnin’ an’ I done hear Marse Bob say he wa’ a’ gonter spen’ the day in Ryeville with some er the kin folks, eatin’ at the hotel. I ’low they’ll git a right airly start.”
“Exactly! Well, so will we, Billy. As soon as they are gone we will go too.”