"Yes, massa, I'se here, sah."
"Did you sleep here behind the store-door last night, as usual?"
"Yes, massa, ob course."
"Did my brother go to bed early that you know of?"
"Well, no, massa, he didn't. He and Massa Wilkins sat back dar by de fire pretty late, sah!"
"Indeed! what could they have been talking of to keep them sitting up?"
"Well, massa, I don't 'spect 'twould be berry hon'ble in me to tell, case I know dey taut I was sleepin', and didn't know I couldn't help hearin' ebery word dey sed."
Arthur blushed as the thought crossed his mind, that the negro's sense of honor was higher than his own; but his curiosity overcame his scruples, and he went on questioning Jeff, as he rubbed up and trimmed the lamps for evening.
"Perhaps you heard my name, Jeff, eh?"