JIM. [Hurriedly.] Yes'm, I said "Mr. Hugh." Didn't you hear me, Miss Mary?
MARY. What'd you say to him?
JIM. I told 'im I's callin' 'round here 'casionally, an' he said ... he ...
MARY. [Looking straight at Jim.] He said what?
JIM. He axed me if I's a-courtin', an' I told 'im I mought ... er ... be ...
MARY. Go on; tell me. Did he say I ought to marry you?
JIM. [Eagerly.] Yes'm.... [Mary gasps.] No'm, not ezzactly.... He said as how it was a pity you had nobody to take care o' you, an' had to work so hard lak a slave every day. An' he said you's most too purty an' good to do it. An' I tuck from 'is talk dat he meant he thought you's good enough foh me, an' wanted me to take care o' you, so's you wouldn't hadder work.
MARY. Oh!... Yes, I reckon so.
[She is silent.
JIM. He's a eddicated boy, an' he knows. Dey teaches 'im how to know everything out yander at dat college place. He sees my worf', he does. Co'se I ain't braggin', but de gals all do say ... oh, you know what dey says.