"Well, what brings you?"
"Naughty Nan,—she hadn't been out"—
"Do you mean to say, you rascal! that you've taken Nan out on such a day? and round the lake, too, I'll warrant?" asked Mr. Raleigh, with some excitement.
"Jes' dat; an' round de lake, ob course; we couldn' come acrost."
"You've ruined her, then"———
"Bress you, Massa, she won't ketch no cold,—she! Smokes like a beaver now; came like streak o' lightnin'."
"You may as well swim her back,—and where we can all see the sport, too."
"But"
"No buts about it, Capua," insisted his master, with mock gravity, the stem between his teeth.
"'Spect I'd better rub her down, now I'se here, an' wait'll it holds up a bit, Mass' Roger?" urged Capua, coaxingly.