"The mistress! Ain't you the master?" — Karen inquired instantly.
"No. I have no right here any longer, Karen."
"I heered it was selled, but I didn't rightly believe it," the old woman said sadly. "And the mistress 'll be turning me away now?"
"Tell her no," whispered Elizabeth.
"I believe not, Karen, unless you wish it."
"What should I wish it for? I've been here ever since I come with Mis' Landholm, when she come first, and she left me here; and I want to stay here, in her old place, till I'm called to be with her again. D'ye think it'll be long, Governor?"
"Are you in haste, Karen?"
"I don't want fur to stay" said the old woman. "She's gone, and I can't take care o' you no longer, nor no one. I'd like to be gone, too — yes, I would."
"You have work to do yet, Karen. You may take as good care as you can of this lady."
Again Karen looked curiously and suspiciously at her, for a minute in silence.