"I'se glad ter welcome yer ter Arlington, sah. And I'se powerful sorry I ain't able ter be in de big house ter see dat yer git ebry thing ter make yer happy, sah. Dese here young niggers lak Sam do pooty well. But dey ain't got much sense, sah. And dey ain't got no unction'tall. Dey do de best dey kin an' dat ain't much."
"Oh, I'm having a fine time, Uncle Ben," Phil assured him.
"Praise de Lord, sah."
"Sam told me you wanted to see me, Uncle Ben," Custis said.
"'Bout sumfin mos' particular, sah—"
"At your service."
The old man waved to his wife to look after the boys' breakfast.
"Pile dem fish up on der plates, Hannah. Fill 'em up—fill'em up!"
"We're mos' full now!" Robbie shouted.
"No we ain't," John protested. "I jis begun."