'Nobody but Mr. Kirke, Joe. He has paid the judgment.'
'Bress you, Mr. Kirke, de Lord bress you, sar. But dar's more you knows, massa Robert. You tole Mr. Kirke 'bout dem?'
'No, Joe. I know I ought to; but I couldn't.
'P'raps Mr. Kirke wouldn't hab paid dat, if he'd know'd de whole!' said Joe, in a hesitating tone.
'Undoubtedly I would, Joe. It's no great matter, I'm sure,' I replied.
'Well, Joe, never mind this now. We'll talk affairs all over with Mr. Kirke before he goes,' said Preston.
'Dat's right, massa Robert; gemman like Mr. Kirke knows 'bout dese tings better'n you nor me.'
Saying we would see him again that day, Preston and I then reëntered the mansion.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] This transaction, improbable as it may seem to Northern readers, occurred literally as I have narrated it.—The AUTHOR.