The woman turned swiftly. She had grown suddenly pale. She called up the back stairs for Linda. A sleepy voice replied:
“Here I be, mum!”
“Where are the children? Where are Tess and Dot?” demanded Mrs. McCall, her voice husky.
“They was in the yard, mum, the last I see of them.”
“That girl!” ejaculated the housekeeper angrily. “She neglects everything. If there’s harm happened to those bairns—”
She rushed to the porch. Uncle Rufus was coming slowly up from the garden, hoe and rake over his shoulder. It was evident that the old colored man had been working steadily, and for some time, among the vegetables.
“Oh, Uncle Rufus!” cried the excited woman.
“Ya-as’m! Ya-as’m! I’s a-comin’,” said the old man rather querulously.
“Step here a minute,” said Mrs. McCall.
“I’s a-steppin’, Ma’am,” grumbled the other. “Does seem as though dey wants me for fust one t’ing an’ den anudder. I don’t no more’n git t’roo one chore den sumpin’ else hops right out at me. Lawsy me!” and he mopped his bald brown brow with a big bandanna.