Jacob smiled, his eyelids drooping; in the sunshine his clear smooth skin looked waxy, as though it would take the impression of a finger and keep it. “There’s an instance of my heart, Diana,� he said sententiously.
She studied him attentively. “Was it altogether that?� she demanded, the straight line of her brows slightly contracted.
“What else?� he asked lightly, leaning forward to break off a cedar berry and toss it away again. “Look here, Di, you’re down on me—what’s the matter?�
“I want to understand you,� she replied slowly; “fifty dollars is too large a sum to give all at once to a negro; you’ll corrupt a member of the church, a brand snatched from the burning. Juniper has experienced religion.�
Jacob laughed. “Been stealing chickens lately, I reckon.�
“No, it was Lysander,� corrected Diana demurely.
“The shopkeeper lawyer can defend him again,� said her cousin; “all the fools are not dead yet.�
“No, indeed,� she agreed, so heartily that he looked up quickly.
“I really meant to help the old nigger,� he said frankly; “he’s always begging, and he’s been sick and out of work. I’m sorry if you think fifty too much.�
Diana touched her horse lightly, and they moved on. “Too much at one time,� she said more gently. “He’ll spend it in an enormous supply of tobacco, watermelons and whiskey, and probably go to the workhouse. If he does, you’ll have to bail him out, Jacob.�