"Dat's a fine plan, Mister Tom. You saved er nigger's life—I'll do dat sho!"
"As for Cleo, I can't do anything for you, but I won't do anything against you."
"Thankee, sah! Thankee, sah!"
When Tom reached the door he paused and said:
"I might consent to consult with the undertaker about the funeral and act as one of your pall-bearers."
Andy waved him away with a suppressed laugh:
"G'way frum here, Mister Tom! G'way frum here!"
The negro returned to the mirror, adjusted his suit and after much effort succeeded in fixing a new scarfpin of a horseshoe design in the centre of the bow of one of Norton's old-fashioned black string ties. He dusted his shoes, smoothed as many of the kinks out of his hair as a vigorous rubbing could accomplish, and put the last touches on his elaborate preparations for a meeting with Cleo that was destined to be a memorable one in her life.