The woman had made an effort to 'spruce up' for the interview, by putting on a clean white neckerchief, and a bran new pair of brogans, but she still wore the tattered red and yellow turban, and the thin, coarse Osnaburg gown, clean, but patched in many places—in which she was arrayed when bending over the wash kettle.
The merchant then came to the door, and invited us in; Preston handed him the papers to examine, and we all entered the store. As the woman laid the gold on the counter, I said to her:
'Aunty, how long have you been in saving this money?'
'Four year, massa. Ole massa wouldn't'gree ter sell de chile till four year ago.'
'And you've hired your time, and earned this by washing and ironing?'
'Yas, sar I'se had ter pay massa a hun'red and firty dollar ebery year, 'sides twenty fur rent; an' I'se had ter work bery hard, of'en till 'way inter de night, but I wanted to hab de chile FREE, massa.'
'And have you had no husband to help you?'
'No, massa, I never had none; I never tuk ter de men folks.'
She was, as I have said, of a coal-black complexion, while Ally's skin was a bright yellow. His father, therefore, must have been a white man.
'You have worked very hard, no doubt, aunty; are these the best clothes you have?'