“I’ll do dat,” said the old man, much delighted with the idea of doing something which he supposed would remove the clouds which overhung the household of his mistress.  “I’ll fotch de hoss an’ de spring waggin an’ dribe you ober dar.”

“No, you don’ do no sech thing!” exclaimed Aunt Patsy, angrily.  “I ain’t gwine to hab no hosses to run away, an’ chuck me out on de road.  Ef you kin fotch de oxen an’ de cart, I go ‘long wid you, but I don’ want no hosses.”

“Dat’s fus’ rate,” said Isham.  “I’ll fotch de ox cart, an’ carry you ober.  When you want ter go?”

“Dunno jes’ now,” said Aunt Patsy, pushing away a block of wood which served for a footstool, and making elaborate preparations to rise from her chair.  “I’ll sen’ fur you when I’s ready.”

The next morning was a very busy one for Aunt Patsy’s son Tom’s yellow boy Bob’s child; and by afternoon it was necessary to send for two colored women from a neighboring cabin to assist in the preparations which Aunt Patsy was making for her projected visit.  An old hair covered trunk, which had not been opened for many years, was brought out, and the contents exposed to the unaccustomed light of day; two coarse cotton petticoats were exhumed and ordered to be bleached and ironed; a yellow flannel garment of the same nature was put aside to be mended with some red pieces which were rolled up in it; out of several yarn stockings of various ages and lengths two were selected as being pretty much alike, and laid by to be darned; an old black frock with full “bishop sleeves,” a good deal mended and dreadfully wrinkled, was given to one of the neighbors, expert in such matters, to be ironed; and the propriety of making use of various other ancient duds was eagerly and earnestly discussed.  Aunt Patsy, whose vitality had been wonderfully aroused, now that there was some opportunity for making use of it, spent nearly two hours turning over, examining, and reflecting upon a pair of old-fashioned corsets, which, although they had been long cherished, she had never worn.  She now hoped that the occasion for their use had at last arrived but the utter impossibility of getting herself into them was finally made apparent to her, and she mournfully returned them to the trunk.

Washing, starching, ironing, darning, patching, and an immense deal of talk and consultation, occupied that and a good deal of the following day, the rest of which was given up to the repairing of an immense pair of green baize shoes, without which Aunt Patsy could not be persuaded to go into the outer air.  It was Saturday morning when she began to dress for the trip, and although Isham, wearing a high silk hat, and a long black coat which had once belonged to a clergyman, arrived with the ox cart about noon, the old woman was not ready to start till two or three hours afterward.  Her assistants, who had increased in number, were active and assiduous.  Aunt Patsy was very particular as to the manner of her garbing, and gave them a great deal of trouble.  It had been fifteen years since she had set foot outside of her house, and ten more since she had ridden in any kind of vehicle.  This was a great occasion, and nothing concerning it was to be considered lightly.