should like it," answered Frank thoughtfully. "But papa
does not want me to go. I don't know why. Do many little boys live in
caves like me?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Can they walk about in the sunshine and play?"

"I always did."

"Do you like it better than living here?"

"Yes."

"Then what made you come here?"

This was an embarrassing question and Ernest felt that he must answer
carefully.

"Your papa wanted me to make you a visit," he replied after a pause.

"And I am glad you came. It isn't so lonely for me. Before I had only
Juba."

"Wouldn't she play with you?" asked Ernest with a smile.

"Juba is too old to play. I hope you will stay with me a good while."

Ernest could not echo this wish, so he answered evasively:

"I can't tell yet how long I shall stay. But the time will come when you
will leave the cave and live like other little boys in a house."

"Did papa tell you that?"

"He told me that he should send you to school before long."

"What is a school like?" asked the little boy anxiously.

"There will be a good many boys, some older, some younger than yourself.
You will study lessons together and play together."

"I think that will be nice."

"Yes, I am sure you will enjoy it."

"Did you ever go to school?"

"Oh, yes; I went to school for some years."

"Perhaps you will go to school with me?"

"I can't tell," answered Ernest vaguely. "Perhaps Juba will go to school
with you."

Frank laughed.

"She would look funny going to school," he said.

"What's dat you sayin' 'bout Juba, Massa Ernest?" asked the old woman.

"I told Frank you might go to school with him."

"Maybe I'd go and take care of him, honey."

"But you wouldn't want to study?"

"I wouldn't study nohow. I's a poor, ignorant nigger."

"Don't you think you could learn to read?"

"No, I couldn't. It takes white folks to read."

"No; Juba, when I went to school there was a colored boy in my class, and
he was one of the smartest scholars we had."

"And was he a nigger?" asked Juba.

"We didn't call him that, but he was a colored boy. If he could learn to
read I am sure you could."

"It's no use, chile. I'm too old now."

Much as he liked Frank, it was irksome to Ernest to remain all day in the
cave.

They got through the forenoon somehow, taking dinner at twelve o'clock.

About two o'clock Frank complained of being sleepy.

"You won't mind if I go to sleep for an hour, Ernest?" he said.

"Oh, n