"Chain' to de rock, an' yit sa-ave at las'!" exclaimed Sidney.

While her husband and children still gazed at the royal stars, Hester
spoke softly to me again. "Miss Maud, dass a tryin' sawt o' sto'y to
tell to a bunch o' po' niggehs; did you dess make dat up--fo' us?"

"Why, Hester," I said, "that was an old, old story before this country
was ever known to white folks, or black," and the eyes of all four were
on me as the daughter asked: "Ain't it in de Bi-ible?"

As all but Sidney bade me good night, I heard her say; "I don' care, I
b'lieb dat be'n in de Bible an' git drap out by mista-ake!"

In my room she grew queerly playful, and continued so until she had
drawn off my shoes and stockings. But then abruptly, she took my feet
in her slim black hands, and with eyes lifted tenderly to mine, said:
"How bu'ful 'pon de mountain is dem wha' funnish good tidin's!" She
leaned her forehead on my insteps: "Us bleeged to paht some day, Miss
Maud."

I made a poor effort to lift her, but she would not be displaced.
"Cayn't no two people count fo' sho' on stayin' togetheh al'ays in dis
va-ain worl'," and all at once I found my face in my hands and the salt
drops searching through my fingers; Sidney was kissing my feet and
wetting them with her tears.

At close of the next day, a Sabbath, my uncle and aunt called all their
servants around the front steps of the house and with tears more bitter
than any of Sidney's or mine, told them that by the folly of others,
far away, they had lost their whole fortune at one stroke and must part