"Missie, I on'y tol' you fo' to stop you. You said yo'se'f you gwine ax him all about it."
"Oh, him!" The girl laughed, yet showed new tears. "I don't mind him; I mind the story! I don't even care who it's about, Hayles or no Hayles!"
"Why, den, what does you care——?"
"I care what it's about." She suddenly looked older. "Oh, I'm all over bespattered with the horrid——"
"Y'ain't. Y'ain't de sawt fo' dat. Look at yo' ma. She have bofe han's in it. Is she all oveh bespattud?"
"Oh, you! You know nothing could ever bespatter mom-a!... I'm going to her to get clean!"
"Dat's good!" A shrewd elation lit up the black face. "Go on! As you say yo'se'f, go on!"
Ramsey started away but with an overjoyed gasp found herself in her mother's arms. She pressed closer while the three laughed, and when the other two ceased she still mirthfully clung in that impregnable sanctuary. Suddenly she hearkened, tossed her curls, and stood very straight. Two male voices were coming down the stairs.
"We cannot," said one, "submit to this alive!"
"Yes," said the other, "we can. It's just we who can—till the day we catch them where they've got us to-day!"