"What's the matter?'
"Dat's what I wants ter see you 'bout, sah—an' ef you'll des slip on dem clothes an' meet me in de liberry, we'll hab a little confab an' er council er war——"
The boy picked up a pillow and hurled it at Andy:
"Well, get out, you old rascal, and I'll be down in a few minutes."
Andy dodged the pillow and at the door whispered:
"Yassah, an' don't disturb de major! I hopes ter God he sleep er month when he git started."
"All right, I won't disturb him."
Tom dressed, wondering vaguely what had brought his father home at such an unearthly hour and by such a trip across the country.
Andy, arrayed in a suit of broadcloth which he had appropriated from Norton's wardrobe in his absence, was waiting for Tom with evident impatience.
"Now, what I want to know is," the boy began, "what the devil you mean by pulling me out of bed this time of day?"