“Well, Uncle Sim,” called Fred. “You can’t guess where we’ve been.”
“No, suh, no, suh,” replied the negro, “I reckon I can’t. Mos’ gen’lly I finds out right soon whar yo’ boys has been. Sometimes I can tell the d’rection in which yo’ all is goin’, even when I can’t see none o’ yo’all.”
“How’s that?” demanded John.
“Why, from the d’rection in which all the dogs and cats and birds and cows and I reckon everything that’s able to get away, is movin’.”
The boys laughed heartily at Uncle Sim’s statement and Grant said, “But, Uncle Sim, you know we are the Go Ahead boys.”
“Yas, suh. Yas, suh, I reckon I’s somewhat familar with dat ar fac’.”
“Uncle Sim, have you ever been in the Meeker House?” spoke up Grant abruptly.
For a moment the old negro was silent as he stared blankly at the boys. Shaking his head he said, “What fo’ yo’ ask me that question?”
“Because I want to know,” said Grant.
“No, suh. I ain’t never been inside the Meeker House, but I’s been so close dat I could hear what was er goin’ on.”