"I believe you!" echoed George.
"You may go home now," said Mr. Gossett to the woman.
"Thanky, Marster." She paused a moment to wipe her face with her apron, and then climbed over the fence and went toward the Gossett plantation.
Aaron slipped away from the neighborhood of the three men, crossed the fence near where Chunky Riley had been standing, went swiftly through the pasture for half a mile, struck into the plantation path some distance ahead of the woman, and then came back along the path to meet her. When he saw her coming he stopped, turned his back to her and stood motionless in the path. The woman was talking to herself as she came up; but when she saw Aaron she hesitated, advanced a step, and then stood still, breathing hard. All her superstitious fears were aroused.
"Who is you? Who is dat? Name er de Lord! Can't you talk? Don't be foolin' wid me! Man, who is you?"
"One!" replied Aaron. The sound of a human voice reassured her somewhat, but her knees shook so she could hardly stand.
"What yo' name?" she asked again.
"Too long a name to tell you."
"What you doin'?"