Mrs. Ray made no answer, and Daph, after satisfying herself that the patient was a little better, stepped quietly back into the kitchen.
Daph really enjoyed her busy day, and it was followed by sound natural sleep, instead of hours of wakefulness and anxious thought.
It was more than a week before Mrs. Ray recovered from the violent cold which had so suddenly removed her from the scene of operations; meanwhile Daph and Mary had become excellent friends. The little girl exchanged her hard work for the pleasant care of the children, and Daph’s strong arms had the exercise they needed. Daph’s busy brain had not meanwhile been idle; the sight of the great oven in the wide chimney-corner had suggested to her a plan, which she was impatient to carry out.
When Mrs. Ray first appeared in the kitchen, she gave an anxious look about her, as if she expected to see nothing but disorder and dirt; but the well-scoured floor and shining plates on the dresser had another tale to tell. Of Daph’s skill in cookery, she had tasted several striking specimens, since her appetite had in a measure returned, and she looked on somewhat curiously, as Daph busied herself about the fire, preparing what she called, “Just a bit relish, to strengthen up Miss’ Ray, now she’s on her two feet again.”
Mary was with the children, and Mrs. Ray took the opportunity to say, “You have been very good to me, Daph, and I am sure you had no reason;” and tears of shame actually came into the poor woman’s eyes.
“Now don’t, Miss’ Ray!” said Daph, “I’se isn’t been and done anything at all. Come, take a little breakfast, and ye’ll feel better, I’m sure.”
“What can I do for you, Daph?” continued Mrs. Ray, who had been really touched by the persevering kindness of the honest negro.
“Well now, Miss’ Ray,” said Daph, “I wants to make a little money. I jus thinks I might do de ironin for you ebery week, for you can’t stand such hard work, and then, may be you’d jus let me hab de use ob dat beauty oven, for somewhat I wants to do. I’se jus used to cookin, and may be, if I makes some ob de cakes missus used to like so much, I might sell dem, at some ob de grand houses, and so make a pretty sum, by-and-bye.”
This arrangement was easily made, for Mrs. Ray felt within her but little strength for work, and she was also anxious to shew her sense of Daph’s late kindness.
One bright June morning, Daph put herself in what she called “splinker order,” and the children shouted with delight when her toilet was made. With the help of Mrs. Ray and Mary she had cut out and completed a good calico dress, and a full white apron, and these, with her snowy turban, made a most respectable appearance. A new basket, covered with a clean cloth, was on her head, and within it was stored a variety of nice cakes, which she was proud to show as a specimen of her cookery.