"I want to see Mr. Jordan.... He air here, ain't he? I has somethin' for him."
"Give it to me," ordered the janitor, "I'll take it to him."
"Can't! He said as how I wasn't to give it to no one but hisself, and I won't, so there!"
"He ain't up yet."
"Don't care, I'll wait, then.... Tell him, will ye, that I air a waitin'?"
Dan Jordan wondered as he crawled slowly out of bed what a girl could want of him at that early hour. He met Tess at the front door, and without waiting for him to speak Tessibel said in an undertone.
"I has somethin' to tell ye.... I air Tess the squatter's brat, what ye gived the coffee to at the parson's house. I said as how I has somethin' to tell ye!"
"Will you tell me now?" asked Dan kindly. "You see, I can't ask you in here—"
"I ain't a comin' in," and lowering her voice with a furtive glance she almost whispered, "I knows—I knows where the minister's son air."
Dan started and looked at her sharply. She could mean no other than Frederick. He placed his fingers on his lips.