The little girls were frightened at the unusual silence about the place, as well as the dirt and disorder, but, being very tired, they sat down to rest.
"Diddie," asked Dumps, after a little time, "ain't yer scared?"
"I don't think I'm scared, Dumps," replied Diddie; "but I'm not right comfor'ble."
"I'm scared," said Dumps. "I'm jes ez fraid of Mr. Tight-fis' Smith!"
"Dat's hit!" said Dilsey. "Now yer talkin', Miss Dumps; dat's er mean wite man, an' he mighter git mad erlong us, an' take us all fur his niggers."
"But we ain't black, Diddie an' me," said Dumps.
"Dat don't make no diffunce ter him; he des soon hab wite niggers ez black uns," remarked Dilsey, consolingly; and Dumps, being now thoroughly frightened, said,
"Well, I'm er goin' ter put my pen'ence in de Lord. I'm er goin' ter pray."
Diddie and Dilsey thought this a wise move, and, the three children kneeling down, Dumps began,
"Now, I lay me down to sleep."