can be! I'se a right smart
hand fur to be nussin' ob de sick; and sakes! how I likes it! I'se gwine
to hab you well, sar, 'fore eber a soul knows you'se in de house." Yet
Toby's words expressed a great deal more confidence than he felt; for,
though he had little apprehension of Penn's retreat being discovered, he
saw how weak and feverish he was, and feared the necessity of sending
for a doctor.

Penn now insisted strongly that the old servant should not neglect his
other duties for him.

"Now you jes' be easy in yer mind on dat pint! Dar's Carl, tends to
out-door 'rangements, and I'se got him larnt so's't he's bery good, bery
good indeed, to look arter my cow, and my pigs, and sech like chores,
when I'se got more 'portant tings on hand myself. And dar's Miss Jinny,
she's glad enough to git de breakfust herself dis mornin'; only jes' I
kind o' keeps an eye on her, so she shan't do nuffin wrong. She an'
Massa Villars come to 'quire bery partic'lar 'bout you, 'fore you was
awake, sar."

These simple words seemed to flood Penn's heart with gratitude. Toby
withdrew, but presently returned, bringing a salver.

"Nuffin but a little broff, massa. And a toasted cracker."

"O, you are too kind, Toby! Really, I can't eat this morning."

"Can't eat, sar? I declar, now!" (in a whisper), "how disappinted she'll
be!"

"Who will be disappointed?"

"Who? Miss Jinny, to be sure! She made de broff wid her own hands. Under
my d'rections, ob course! But she would make 'em herself, and took a
heap ob pains to hab 'em good, and put in de salt wid her own purty
fingers, and looked as rosy a stirrin' and toastin' ober de fire as eber
you see an angel, sar!"

For some reason Penn began to think better of the broth, and, to Toby's
infinite satisfaction, he consented to eat a little. Toby soon had him
bolstered up in bed, and held the salver before him, and looked a
perfect picture of epicurean enjoyment, just from seeing his patient
eat.

"It is delicious!" said Penn; at which brief eulogium the whole rich,
exuberant, tropical soul of the unselfish African seemed to expand and
blossom forth with joy. "I shall be sure to get well and strong soon,
under such treatment. You must let Carl go to Mrs. Sprowl's and fetch my
clothes; I shall want some of them when I get up."

"Bress you, sar! you forgets nobody ain't to know whar you be! Mass'
Villars he say so. You jes' lef' de clo'es alone, yit awhile. Wouldn't
hab dat ar Widder Sprowl