"Were you in the fight?"
"Had a little taste of it, sa."
"Stood your ground, did you?"
"No, sa, I runs."
"Run at the first fire, did you?"
"Yes, sa; and would hab run soona, had I know'd it was comin'."
"Why, that wasn't very creditable to your courage."
"Massa, dat isn't my line, sa; cookin's my profeshun."
"Well, but have you no regard for your reputation?"
"Yah, yah! reputation's nuffin to me by de side ob life."