“I wonder what he wants with you?” said Lawrence.
“To help him wid de mischif!” replied the negro, in a half-sulky tone.
“Well, you’ll have to go, but you’d better eat something first.”
“No, massa; wid you’s leave I’ll go off at once. A hunk ob bread in de pocket an’ lots o’ fruit by de way—das ’nuff for dis nigger.”
“Off with you, then, and tell Pedro that you left Manuela and me quite comfortable.”
“O Massa Lawrie!—’scuse me usin’ de ole name—it am so nice to hear you speak jolly like dat. ’Minds me ob de ole times!”
“Get along with you,” said Lawrence, with a laugh, as the warm-hearted black left the hotel.
Thus these two parted. Little did they imagine what singular experiences they should encounter before meeting again.
Soon after Quashy’s departure Lawrence went to the door of Manuela’s room, and, tapping gently, said—
“Dinner is ready, Manuela.”