“Dat’s all right, missy. Jest you wait tell I does sumthin’ an’ den talk. Time nuff den! Now I mus’ run back. Done want missus ter know dat I hab been talkin’ ter yer.”
“I’ll go a different way, and she won’t suspect us,” said Jeanne and the two separated.
Two days, full of anxiety to Jeanne, passed before Snowball was called to attend Dick. Waiting only until she heard the door of Madame’s chamber click, the darky sped to Jeanne’s room and called her.
“Nuffin’ couldn’t a happened bettah,” she said. “Missus Adele, she’s gone ter town; an’ tuk Feliciane with huh. Jeff’s gwine huntin’ wid marster an’ Mistah La Chaise. I ain’t afeerd ob de res’ ob de niggas. Kum now, missy, an’ yer’ll hab a right smaht while wid yer brudder.”
Jeanne started up eagerly and ran down the stairs to Dick’s chamber. Her brother was lying fully dressed on a couch with his back toward her. He did not turn at her entrance and before she had time to address him, Snowball darted through the door.
“Foh de land sake, missy, git outen heah quick,” she whispered. “Ole missus am a kumin’ back.”
Her terror communicated itself to Jeanne and the girl stopped stock still in the middle of the floor. The click, click of Madame’s shoes could be heard distinctly in the hall. To go out would be to meet her, and for the nonce the spirit of the girl quailed. Glancing quickly about her the heavily curtained window caught her eye and she sprang toward it. It was but the work of a moment to ensconce herself behind its voluminous folds. Scarcely had she done so when Madame entered.
“I thought I heard some one,” she said suspiciously. “Have you been attending to Master Dick, Snowball?”
“Does yer want anyting now, Massa Dick?” asked Snowball going to the lad’s side, gladly ignoring the lady’s first remark.
“Give me a drink, please,” said Dick weakly.