“I knowed the gemman twenty years an’ he ain’t never stepped off yit.”
The private car rang with their cheerful laughter.
“He must be a wonderful man,” said Miss Campbell. “I wish he would teach me his secret.”
“His secret is, ma’am, he ain’t never got married and had no fambly troubles to age his countenance,” answered Sam.
“But,” cried Miss Campbell, “I’ve never been married either, and I’m white-haired and infirm.”
“You infirm, ma’am! You de youngest one in de lot,” answered the colored man, turning his frankly admiring gaze on the pretty little lady as he backed down the car, grinning, and disappeared in his own quarters.
“You see, Cousin,” said Billie, patting Miss Campbell’s cheek, “you must never try to make people believe again that you are old. You are a pretty young lady gone gray before her time.”
It was plain that Mr. Ignatius Donahue was very much pleased with the arrangements he had made with his old friend, Duncan Campbell. All along the journey he had fresh surprises for his five guests. At one place came a big basket of fruit; at another station a colored woman climbed on the train and presented each of them with a splendid magnolia in full bloom, that filled the car with its fragrance.
“With Mr. Donahue’s compliments, ma’am; an’ he says he hopes the ladies is enjoyin’ they selves,” she added as she gave Miss Campbell the largest blossom in the bunch.
“Dear, dear,” cried Miss Campbell. “One would think Mr. Donahue were taking this journey with us. He is so attentive. Is he anywhere around here?”