Seeing that retreat was cut off and he was in for it, the negro picked his way cautiously on tip-toe until he leaned over the chair and tried to read what his master was writing.
Norton looked up suddenly:
"Andy!"
He jumped in terror:
"I—I—didn't see nuttin', major! Nasah! I nebber seed a thing, sah!"
Norton calmly lifted his head and looked into the black face that had been his companion so many years:
"I want you to see it!"
"Oh!" Andy cried with surprised relief, "you wants me to see hit"—he glanced at Minerva and motioned her to come nearer. "Well, dat's different, sah. Yer know I wouldn't er tried ter steal er glimpse of it ef I'd knowed ye wuz gwine ter show it ter me. I allers is er gemman, sah!"
Norton handed him the paper:
"I taught you to read and write, Andy. You can do me a little service to-night—read that!"