"Thanks."
"Now make yourself entirely at home, my good friend."
The planter lighted the cigar, blew a long cloud of smoke and settled in his seat.
"I'm glad to learn from Mrs. Lee that you have read the book I sent you—the Abolitionist firebrand."
"Yes."
Lee quietly walked to the mantel and got the volume.
"I have it here."
He turned the leaves thoughtfully.
Ruffin laughed.
"And, what do you think of it?"