Soon after, we were to have company to tea again, and I explained to Tomah that the best china must be used. What was my surprise, on going through the dining-room a short time after, to see not only the new china, but the “company silver” also on the table. I requested my mother to inquire into the matter.
Tomah said, very coolly, “He got the silver where it was kept.”
“Did he find the drawer open?”
“No—he opened it with a key.”
“Was the key in the drawer?”
“No—it was under that thing on the shelf.”
“How did he know it was kept there.”
This was what Mr. Tomah declined telling. We could never ascertain whether he had watched my movements at any time. No one had ever seen him in that part of the house, and yet there could scarcely an article be mentioned of which Tomah did not know the whereabout. If any one was puzzled to find a thing it was always,
“Ask Tomah—he will tell you.” And so in fact he did. He was a subject of much amusement to the young officers. We were to have “a party” one evening—all the families and young officers at the fort. To make Tomah’s appearance as professional as possible, we had made him a white apron with long sleeves to put on while he was helping Mary and Josette to carry round tea—for I must acknowledge that Tomah’s clothes were not kept in as nice order out of the trunk as in it.
Tom was delighted with his new costume, as well as with the new employment. He acquitted himself to perfection, for he had never any difficulty in imitating what he saw another do. After tea we had some music. As I was standing by the piano at which one of the ladies was seated, Lt. Vancleve[[126]] said to me in a low tone,