nd grins, expressive of satisfaction with his work;
"ye're jest as comf'table now as am possible under de sarcumstances. If
dar's anyting in dis yer world ye wants now, say de word, and ol'
Toby'll jump at de chance to fetch 'em fur ye."

"There is nothing I want now, good Toby, but that you and Carl should
rest. You have done everything you can--and far more than I deserve. I
will try to thank you when I am stronger."

"Can't tink ob quittin' ye dis yer night, nohow, massa! Mr. Stackridge
he's gone; Carl he can go to bed,--he ain't no 'count here, no way. But
I'se took de job o' gitt'n you well, Mass' Penn, and I'se gwine to put
it frew 'pon honor,--do it up han'some!"

And notwithstanding Penn's remonstrances, the faithful black absolutely
refused to leave him. Indeed, the most he could be prevailed upon to do
for his own comfort, was to bring his blanket into the room, and promise
that he would lie down upon it when he felt sleepy. Whether he kept his
word or not, I cannot say; but there was no time during the night when,
if Penn happened to stir uneasily, he did not see the earnest, tender,
cheerful black face at his pillow in an instant, and hear the
affectionate voice softly inquire,--

"What can I do fur ye, massa? Ain't dar nuffin ol' Toby can be a doin'
fur ye, jes' to pass away de time?"

Sometimes it was water Penn wanted; but it did him really more good to
witness the delight it gave Toby to wait upon him, than to drink the
coolest and most delicious draught fresh from the well.

At length Penn began to feel hot and stifled.

"What have you hung over the window, Toby?"

"Dat ar? 'Pears like dat ar's my blanket, sar. Ye see, 'twouldn't do,
nohow, to let nary a chink o' light be seen from tudder side, 'cause dat
'ud make folks s'pec' sumfin', dis yer time o' night. So I jes' sticks
up my ol' blanket--'pears like I can sleep a heap better on de bar
floor!"

"But I must have some fresh air, you dear old hypocrite!" said Penn,
deeply touched, for he knew that the African had deprived himself of his
blanket because he did not wish to disturb him by leaving the room for
another.

"I'll fix him! Ill fix him!" said Toby. And he seemed raised to the very
summit of happiness on discovering that there was something, requiring
the exercise of his ingenuity, still to be done for his patient.

After that Penn slept a little. "Tank de good Lord," said the old negro
the next morning, "you're lookin' as chirk as