"Yas, honey, hit's little me!"
Andy had begun to feel the bracing effects of the two full glasses of mint juleps. He put his hands in his pockets, walked with springing strides to the other end of the room, returned and squared himself impressively before Minerva. Before he could speak his courage began to fail and he stuttered:
"M-M-M-Miss Minerva!"
The good-humored, shining black face was raised in sharp surprise:
"What de matter wid you, man, er hoppin' roun' over de flo' lak er flea in er hot skillet?"
Andy saw that the time had come when he must speak unless he meant to again ignominiously surrender. He began boldly:
"Miss Minerva! I got somethin' scandalous ter say ter you!"
She glared at him, the whites of her eyes shining ominously, crossed the room quickly and confronted Andy:
"Don't yer dar' say nuttin' scandalizin' ter me, sah!"
His eyes fell and he moved as if to retreat. She nudged him gently: