"What's my ole marster dat set me free gwine ter do?"
"Dat's what everybody's axin. He bin prayin' up dar all night."
Sam glanced toward the stairway and held his silence for a while. He spoke finally with firm conviction.
"Well, I'se gwine wid him. Ef he go wid de Union, I goes. Ef he go wid ole Virginy, I go wid ole Virginy. Whichever way he go, dat's de right way—"
"Dat's so, too!" Ben responded fervently.
Sam advanced to the old butler with the quick step of the days when he was his efficient helper.
"What ye want me ter do?"
Ben led him to the portico and pointed down the white graveled way to
Washington.
"Run doun de road ter de rise er dat hill an' stay dar. De minute yer see a hoss cross dat bridge—hit's Marse Stuart. Yer fly back here an' tell me—"
Sam nodded and disappeared. Ben hurried back into the hall, as Mary and her mother came down the stairs.