"Ten or thereabouts, ma'am. He were a heap of comfort to me" and
the whisper on Yancy's lips was wonderfully tender and wistful.

"Just the age of my Richard," said Polly, her glance full of
compassion and pity.

Mr. Cavendish essayed to speak, but was forced to pause and clear
his throat. The allusion to Richard in this connection having
been almost more than he could endure with equanimity. When he
was able to put his thoughts into words, he said:

"I shore am distressed fo' you. I tried to leave you back yonder
where I found you, but no one knowed you and you looked so near
dead folks wouldn't have it. What parts do you come from?"

"No'th Carolina. Me and my nevvy was a-goin' into west Tennessee
to a place called Belle Plain, somewhere near Memphis. We have
friends there," explained Yancy.

"That settles it!" cried Cavendish. "It won't be Kentucky, and
it won't be Illinoy; I'll put you asho' at Memphis; mebby you'll
find yo' nevvy there after all."

"That's the best. You lay still and get yo' strength back as
fast as you can, and try not to worry--do now." Polly"s voice
was soft and wheedling.

"I reckon I been a heap of bother to you-all," said Yancy.

"La, no," Polly assured him; "you ain't been."