“Don’t you stay, Sukey,” said Janice, “if you are needed in the kitchen. His Excellency—”
“Dat I ain’t, chile. Gin’l Washington he trabell wid his own cook, an’ Peg an’ I ’se only helpin’ Mr. Lee set de table and carry de dishes. Now I help ma honey.”
“Oh, Sukey,” carolled Janice, “it is so good to be home again!”
“Guess Missus Sukey tink dat too,” said William, halting in his labours. “She dun talk about nuthin’ else but her pooty young missus.”
“And how ’s Blueskin, Billy?” questioned Janice.
“Lor’ bless us, miss, dyar ain’t no restrainin’ ob dat steed wid de airs he put on since he dun took part at Monmouth an’ hear the gin’l say what he tink oh dat feller Lee. I tell him if he doan behave better, de next time dyar ’s goin’ to be a battle, I jus’ saddle up Nelson an’ leave him behind.”
“Now youse stop a-talkin’ an’ tote dem men’s tings somewhars else. Missy Janice gwine to change her gown, an’ we doan want nuttin’ oh dat sort in hyar.”
“I’ll only smart myself a little and not change my frock, Sukey, because—”
“Dat youse must, honey, for I dun praise youse so dat I ain’t gwine to have dem disappointed in youse. Who’ll be to dinner to-day, Mr. Lee?”
“Gen’l Greene an’ Lord Sterlin’, an’ de staff, an’ de field an’ brigades major ob de day.”