“Yessuh, I like ’im, but he don’ like me. He’s very good horse, Pole Star’s grandson, but I reckon I scared ob ridin’ him. Sam Bun, he Mist’ Colfax’s man—he say dat horse bit four men las’ Saturday week.”
“I don’t want him,” said Virginia laughing. “Hear any news up there, Lucas? How’s Miss Sally?”
“Gone to de springs, Miss Jinny. I did heah on de road back ’bout young Mis’ Carter—de one dat done got Mist’ Corwin shot.” He looked over his green corn at the colonel. “She’s stayin’ up to Quantah’s place now.”
“Eh!” The colonel stared. “Pretty poor place isn’t it, Lucas?”
“Sho is, suh. Ain’t noffin’ dere now but de woman, Mis’ Quantah, an’ dat bug-house boy ob hers. Dey sold de cow las’ week to de butcher. Ain’t no place fo’ quality nohow. Yessuh, Mis’ Wilyum Carter up dere now. She lef’ Mist’ Wilyum or Mist’ Wilyum lef’ her, I don’t know—”
“Lucas, you take that corn to the kitchen. I want some for dinner.”
“Yessuh,” said Lucas, and went.
The colonel turned to Virginia.
“That Quantah place is pretty forlorn. Can that girl be as poor as that? I thought Mrs. Quantah was about down and out.”
“Why, grandpa, the place is a wreck! There can’t be a decent room up-stairs!” Virginia’s face was still flushed, she clung to the banister. “I can’t understand.”