The boy looked at Andy with a sudden start:
"Ah, how could that sweet little girl upset him? He's her guardian's attorney and sent for her to come, of course——"
"I don't know 'bout dat, sah—all I know is dat he went wil' es quick es I tells 'im, an' he bin wil' ever since. Mister Tom, I ain't skeered er de major—but he's dangous!"
"Ah, Andy, you're the biggest fool in the county," the boy answered laughing. "You know my father wouldn't touch a hair of your kinky head."
Andy grinned.
"'Cose not, Mister Tom," he said with unction. "I knows dat. But all de same I gotter keep outen his way wid dis new suit er close till I see 'im smilin'——"
"Always bearing in mind that indiscretion is the better part of value!"
"Yassah—yassah—dat's hit—an' I wants you ter promise you'll stan' by me, sah, till de major's in a good humor."
"All right; if you need me, give a yell."
Tom turned with a smile to go, and Andy caught his sleeve and laughed again: