“Yes, honey, yes;” he commented after pausing for breath, “music an’ love is what heaven is made of; it wouldn’t be heaven widout music an’ love.”
“But there are people who don’t like music, Uncle Andy,” remarked Roy.
“Den, honey, ol’ Andy wouldn’t gib much for der chance for heaven, ’deed he wouldn’t, honey. What’ll dey do because of de music if dey does git to heaven? Mind I says if, honey; mind I says if.”
Before the magnitude of this query could be lessened, a shuffling of feet was heard outside, followed by a knock upon the door.
“It’s Israel!” ejaculated Mose jubilantly, “Marse Merryman’s Perry said he had done sawed all their wood, an’ he was gwine to bring him over here this evenin’.”
He hurried to the door, and reaching out a helping hand, brought the blind wood-sawer in triumph to the hearth, followed by Perry, who was expected by Mrs. Merryman to return home immediately, but who remained all evening.
“These here two boys is our boys, Israel,” said Mose, as master of ceremonies, “and these two other boys is visitin’ us from Baltimore; and, boys, this here man is bline Israel.”
“Dat is jist like you, Mose, ’mindin’ folks ob der ’flictions. What’s de use of sayin’ ’bline Isrel’!” rebuked Uncle Andy.
“Israel don’t keer, he says so his own self,” replied Mose nonchalantly.
“Of course I does, Brudder Andy,” said Israel, towering above them and removing his pipe to his left hand to give his right to the old man.