Tap. No you shan’t—dare now! You shan’t kiss me widout you is stronger den I is; and I know you is dat. [He kisses her.]
Enter Dr. Gaines, R., and hides.
Cato. Did you know, Miss Tappy, dat I is de head doctor ’bout dis house? I beats de ole boss all to pieces.
Tap. I hev hearn dat you bleeds and pulls teef.
Cato. Yes, Miss Tappy; massa could not get along widout me, for massa was made a doctor by books; but I is a natral doctor. I was born a doctor, jess as Lorenzo Dow was born a preacher. So you see I can’t be nuffin’ but a doctor, while massa is a bunglin’ ole cuss at de bissness.
Dr. Gaines, (in a low voice.) Never mind; I’ll teach you a lesson, that I will.
Cato. You see, Miss Tappy, I was gwine to say—— Ah! but afore I forget, jess give me anudder kiss, jess to keep company wid de one dat you give me jess now,—dat’s all, [Kisses her.] Now, Miss Tappy, duse you know de fuss time dat I seed you?
Tap. No, Mr. Cato, I don’t.
Cato. Well, it was at de camp-meetin’. Oh, Miss Tappy, dat pretty red calliker dress you had on dat time did de work for me. It made my heart flutter—
Dr. G. (low voice.) Yes, and I’ll make your black hide flutter.