“A black man.”

“Yes, polished ebony. Rather smart, too. Speaks English perfectly. He came to me at Waterloo and said—Oh, there he is. Hi, you. Just follow me, will you.”

Minkie thought that the negro was an extraordinarily fine fellow, and very well dressed. It was odd that Schwartz had not mentioned him, and she wondered where he would sleep. Perhaps he curled up on a mat outside [Pg 27]his master’s room. In that case, she must make Dan clearly understand that she rather approved of the Ethiopian than otherwise.

[Pg 27]

His luggage appeared to be a small handbag. He almost made the mistake of entering the carriage with Minkie and her father, but he showed his teeth in a good-natured grin, and climbed to Jim’s side on the box. I had a look at him as he passed the near lamp, and he certainly did startle me; I am quite sure I should have shifted him if Minkie had not said quietly:

“All right, Bobby. Steady, old chap.”

On the way home I heard Minkie trying to cheer up her father by telling him little bits of village news, and he did his best to respond, but both of us felt there was something wrong, as the Guv’nor is likely enough most days.

“Mr. Schwartz has arrived, of course?” he inquired, soon after we quitted the station.“I forgot to ask you sooner. I took it for granted when his servant turned up and told me he had missed the earlier train.”

[Pg 28]

[Pg 28]

“Yes. He came according to your telegram.”

“How has he got on at home?”

“Oh, first rate. Mam and Dolly seemed quite pleased to see him.”

“What do you think of him, Minkie?”

“I hardly know yet, father dear. I shall tell you—let me see—on New Year’s Eve.”

“You demand seven days’ experience, eh? Wise child. I wish some one had taught me at your age to wait a bit before I formed my opinions.”

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