“Ya’as ’m,” he answered.
“But on what ground?”
“‘Tain’t my business to know that, Miss, an’ as a matter of fac’ I don’t know it. All I know is, I was give a warrant an’ tole to serve it, an’ bring you to the court. Don’t you worry about a-payin’ of the cabman. I’ll ten’ to all that.”
“But what do they want with me in court?” I asked insistently.
“Dunno, Miss.”
“But who is it that wants me?”
“Dunno, Miss, only the warrant head said, ‘Campbell vee ess Byrd and Dennison.’”
“But what right have they to bother me in this way? Am I not a free person? Haven’t I a right—”
“Dunno, Miss, ’tain’t my business to know. But I suppose you’re a gal under age, and I suppose gals under age ain’t got no rights in pertic’lar, leastways in opposition to their gardeens.”
By this time, we had arrived at the courthouse, and I was taken before the judge. I remember thinking that if I should displease him in any way, he could order me hanged. I know better now, but I thought so then; so I made up my mind to be very nice to the judge.