"Californy—maybe Oregon."
"To keep house for you—single gentleman?"
"Yes, sir."
"When do you expect to come back?"
"Never."
The questioner glanced back to his brother. Both were gratified to note that the bargain would work no relief to Hugh or the Gilmores, but Julian wanted better assurance that it would not free a runaway slave or make her a lawful wife. He turned abruptly, and so it happened that all three failed to see Ramsey, in dark attire and with Joy close behind, emerge an instant from the pantry gangway and shrink again into it. On the return from her stateroom to the roof, for mere variety, she had taken this direction. Said Julian as he turned:
"You're a Kentuckian, sir. Henry Clay man?"
"No. Only don't allow anything said again' him."
"Abolitionist?"
"No, sir-ee." The emphasis was sprightly.