DISENCHANTMENT.
"MISSY, dear missy, she not listen to poor ole Phœbe any more?" said the faithful old nurse, sighing over a fair girl who was looking coaxingly into her face, and stroking the iron-grey hair neatly under her turban.
"Well, you foolish old woman, it is of no use to listen to you. You are to listen to me, and hear that mamma is willing to spare you to go with me, and you are to be willing to go. Now, Phœbe, you consent? You wouldn't send me away alone to strangers and strange servants in a strange land, you know."
"Missy got Massa Count, house and fine tings, 'ligion and all," said Phœbe sorrowfully.
"But, according to your view of the value of my new possessions, there is the stronger reason for putting yourself into the bargain," said the young lady playfully; "besides, Phœbe, you know you changed your religion."
"Hadn't got none, missy; Phœbe heathen and know noting. Good missionary tell about de Lord Jesus, and Phœbe come to b'lieve in Him. Den Phœbe got 'ligion, and nebber, nebber lose it again."
"Well of course the Count believes in Him, and so do I, and so it is no change after all."
"But what him b'lieve? Only dat de Lord a little chile, allays in moder's arms, doing what him telled. But de Bible Lord Jesus a man; He say, 'All power in hebben and earth given to me,' not my moder. Oh how she be grieved when she hear what de popes does with her. Dey forget she say to servants, 'What He saith unto you, do it,' and dey don't do it. Oh He no more her babe, but glorified Lord in hebben, Son of de Father, Saviour for you."
"Well, now, Phœbe, suppose I win the Count, after letting him win me?"
"Ah, missy, 'spects massa Count don't care noting 'bout it; me tink him not b'lieve too much."