“Good morning, General,” said Felix, politely touching his cap.

“Good warning, Missa Qui I hope I see you well dis pleasant marning.  How Miss Rosa?” inquired Primus, at the same time making a military salute with the back of his hand.

“Miss Rosa is well, thank you, sir.  As for this genlman, he is always well,” said Felix, laying his hand on his breast.

“Fine day for walking, sir.  Sorry you going de oder way, Missa Qui.  Suppose you hab business.”

“I walk out for the exercise.  I have not take exercise enough lately for the health.”

At this moment the eye of Primus caught sight of a white piece of paper sticking out of a corner of Felix’s pocket, and he suspected the errand on which the latter was sent, so he added: 

“You celumbrate Tanksgiving in de usual style at your house dis year, I presume.”

“Some witch tell you, General.  Haw, haw!”

“De ole chimbly smoke extrorninary at dis season.  De chickens and de turkies know dat chimbly well.”

“Guess they do,” said Felix.  “General Ransome, can you keep a secret?”

“I is close as Missa Pint pocket, dat button all round,” said the old negro.

“Then I have no objections to tell you, General, that I give out some invite this morning to ladies and genlmen to take dinner at my house, Thanksgiving Day.”

“Hab you one for me?”

“Look for yourself, sir,” said Felix, pulling out two or three billets from the left pocket of his waistcoat, and presenting them to the other.  “You sociate with General Washington and all the great men, and read writing, sure.”

Primus took the billets into his hands, and ran his eye over the superscriptions, with an air of the most perfect confidence, then, shaking his head, returned them to Felix, observing: 

“Dere is none here for me.”

“Perhaps there is one for you in this pocket,” continued Felix, fumbling on the other side, and producing another billet.  Primus looked, but shook his head as before.  “Have the extreme goodness,” said Felix, who began to be considerably mystified by the serious air of the other, and half-disposed to believe that he might have some knowledge of the mystic characters, “to tell me who this little note is intend for.”

Primus knew very well the intimate relations existing between the families of the Armstrongs and Bernards, and that the former often took their Christmas dinner with the latter, while again the Armstrongs reciprocated the civility by inviting the Bernards, who were Episcopalians, to the feast of Thanksgiving.  Moreover, he had met Felix going in a direction towards the house of Mr. Bernard, which was close by.  Putting these circumstances together, the old soldier thought that he might venture a guess, which, if it succeeded, would redound greatly to the credit of his learning, and, which, if it failed, could entail on him no other harm than the laugh of Felix.  Assuming, therefore, a knowing look, he said: