"It was only that our family estate has passed into other hands, and an allowance out of it, which used to come to my mother, has ceased. It's right enough, I suppose. No one could prevent it, and no one has any right to complain."
"Don't know dat," said Phœbe, as if talking to herself. "Why dem stop dat 'lowance?"
"There was no provision for its continuance; it was only the arrangement of my grandfather, and ceased with his life."
"Hum! Please God keep ole Phœbe 'live, she make dem pay up."
"What are you talking about?" asked Guy, rather inclined to laugh at the black woman's lucubrations.
But to her, it was evidently no laughing matter.
"Will Massa Guy tell real why not go out ob dis city when him warned? What his people at home bid him do?"
"They would wish me to go, I daresay," said Guy; "but I cannot at present."
"Got empty purse, maybe?" said Phœbe, coolly.
"Suppose it is so, you strange old probe,—what is it to you?" exclaimed Guy, impatiently. "I choose to wait for my next remittance; I will not ask anyone for money."