Andy waved the apology aside with a generous gesture and spoke with large good nature:
"Oh, dat's all right, m'am! Dat's all right! I'm gwine ter show you now dat I'se yer best friend——"
"I may need one soon," she answered slowly. "Things can't go on in this house much longer as they are."
"Yassam!" Andy said reassuringly as he laid his hand on Cleo's arm and bent low. "You kin 'pend on me. I'se always called Hones' Andy."
She shuddered unconsciously at his touch, looked suddenly toward the house and said:
"Go—quick! Mr. Tom has come. I don't want him to see us together."
Andy bowed grandly, took up his hat and tipped down the stairs chuckling over his conquest, and Cleo watched him cross the yard to the kitchen.
"I'll manage him!" she murmured with a smile of contempt.