“Get a rollin’. Nothing cures a colic quicker than that. And, look-a-here? How’s this for medicine?”
Metty considered this the “mos’ splendides’ gemplemum” he had ever met. A gentleman made to order, indeed, with a paper bag in his pocket, chock full of beautiful red and white “peppymin’s” which he lavishly dealt out to the small sufferer—a half one at a time! But many halves make several wholes, and Metty’s now happy tones, in place of complaints, brought Chloe to the spot, and to the knowledge of the stranger’s real errand.
“Come right erway in, suh. I sure gwine tell Miss Betty you-all ain’ none dem peddlah gemplemums, but a genuwine calleh. Dis yeah way, suh. Metty, yo’ triflin’ little niggah! Why ain’ yo’ tote one dese yeah bastics?”
A familiar, not-too-heavy, cuff on the boy’s ear set him briskly “toting” one basket while his mother carried the other. Mr. Stillwell followed his guide to where Mrs. Calvert sat and explained himself and his visit so simply and pleasantly that she was charmed and exclaimed:
“This is delightful, to find neighbors where we looked for strangers only. How kind and how generous of your wife! I wish I could see and thank her in person.”
Chloe had uncovered the daintily packed baskets and Mrs. Bruce fairly glowed in housewifely pleasure over the contents.
“Looks as if an artist had packed them,” said Aunt Betty; and it did.
Tomatoes resting in nests of green lettuce; half-husked green corn flanked by purple eggplant and creamy squashes; crimson beets and brown skinned potatoes; these filled one basket. The other was packed with grapes of varying colors, with fine peaches, pears, rosy apples and purple plums. Together they did make a bright spot of color on the sunny deck and brought a warm glow to Mrs. Calvert’s heart. The cheerful face of the farmer and his open-hearted neighborliness were an agreeable contrast to the dolefulness of the more aristocratic Colonel—called such by courtesy and custom but not from any right to the title.
“If the girls would only come!” said Mrs. Bruce. “I’d like to have them see the things before we move one out of its pretty place.”