“How lovely! I never had a slave before,” said Holly, reflectively. “I fear your memory is poor, Miss Holly. I’ll wager you’ve had, and doubtless still have, a score of them quite as willing as I.” [126] [126] Holly blushed a little, but shook her head. “Not I. But it’s a bargain, Mr. Winthrop. I won’t keep you for life, though; when you leave here I’ll give you your ‘freedance,’ as the negroes say. But while you are here you are to do just as I tell you. Will you?” she added, sternly. “I obey implicitly,” answered Winthrop. “And now?” “Why, you may stay, of course. Besides, it was all arranged last evening. Uncle Major and Auntie fixed it all up between them after he came down from seeing you. You are to have the room you are in and the one back of it, if you want it, and you are to pay three dollars and a-half a week; one dollar for your room and two dollars and a-half for your board.” “But—isn’t that——?” “Please don’t!” begged Holly. “I don’t know anything about it. If it’s too much, you must speak to Aunt India or Major Cass.” [127] [127] “I was about to suggest that it seemed ridiculously little,” said Winthrop. “But——” “Gracious!” exclaimed Holly. “Uncle Major thought it ought to be more, but Auntie wouldn’t hear of it. Do you think it should be?” “Well, I’m scarcely a disinterested party,” laughed Winthrop, “but it doesn’t sound much, does it?” “Three dollars and a-half!” said Holly, slowly and thoughtfully. Then she nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, it sounds a whole lot.” She laughed softly. “It’s very funny, though, isn’t it?”
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