"I come to trade."
The low-down relative drew the worsted off his ears. "Oh! yass," he said with an uncertain air.
"Well, old man Charlie, what you say: my house for yours,—like you said,—eh, Charlie?"
"I dunno," said Charlie; "it's nearly mine now. Why you don't stay dare youse'f?"
"Because I don't want!" said the Colonel savagely. "Is dat reason enough for you? You better take me in de notion, old man, I tell you,—yes!"
Charlie never winced; but how his answer delighted the Colonel! Quoth
Charlie:
"I don't care—I take him!—mais, possession give right off."
"Not the whole plantation, Charlie; only"—
"I don't care," said Charlie; "we easy can fix dat Mais, what for you don't want to keep him? I don't want him. You better keep him."
"Don't you try to make no fool of me, old man," cried the planter.