I endeavored, by cheerful conversation, and by
directing his mind to other topics, to cheer him, and in a measure
succeeded.
While we were seated at the supper-table, the black cook entered from
the kitchen,--a one-story shanty, detached from and in the rear of the
house,--and, with a face expressive of every conceivable emotion a negro
can feel,--joy, sorrow, wonder, and fear all combined,--exclaimed, 'O
massa, massa! dear massa! Sam, O Sam!'
'Sam,' said the Colonel; 'what about Sam?'
'Why, he hab--dear, dear massa, don't yer, don't yer hurt him--he hab
come back!'
If a bombshell had fallen in the room, a greater sensation could not
have been produced. Every individual arose from the table, and the
Colonel, striding up and down the apartment, exclaimed,--
'Is he mad? The everlasting fool! Why in h---- has he come back?'
'Oh, don't ye hurt him, massa,' said the black cook, wringing her hands.
'Sam hab ben bad, bery bad, but he won't be so no more.'
'Stop your noise, aunty,' said the Colonel, but with no harshness in his
tone. 'I shall do what I think right.'
'Send for him, David,' said Madam P----; 'let us hear what he has to
say. He would not come back if he meant to be ugly.
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