"Well Richard, and so you are to marry her off, and see her no more?"
"Golly, massa, yes; what for she young lady, if no?"
"And when's the wedding to be, Richard? Merry times you'll have!"
"Lorra, massa, don't know. Some says one day, some anoder. Wa' to been married soon, but faw the white nlgga Gilbert, what cut the Colonel's throat!"
"What, so soon?" said Herman, feeling a sudden thrill run through his frame. "Why, Richard, they were in a hurry, for such young folks. Miss Catherine is only seventeen—a very great hurry!"
"No, massa; long standing 'fair that; and put off, put off, Lorra knows how long; 'case young missus says she too young. Lorra-golly! old Nance wa' but fo'teen o' so; and I reckon there's more naw all that. An old nigga man, what's brought up a gemman, knows what's what!"
"Eh, Richard! you don't say so? You have the secret then? Come now, my old boy, here's a dollar. Come, put it in your pocket."
"Saddy, massa; God blessa massa!"
"Well now, Richard, what's the reason the marriage has been put off?"
"Golly! massa gib me the dolla' to tell?" cried Richard, looking alarmed.