“Now, Judy,” said she, “hain’t you no more idees of ilegance than to push the bedstead smack up agin the clarbuds; just pull it out a foot or two, as old Miss use to do.”

Judy complied with her request and she continued:  “Lordy sakes—­don’t Miss Nancy know better than to put Marster William to sleep in such coarse sheets,” at the same time casting a rueful glance at the linens which Judy had put upon the bed.  “You set down, Judy,” said Aunt Katy, “and I’ll tend to the bed myself.”

So saying she hobbled off to her cabin and opening her “old red chist,” drew from it a pair of half-worn, but very fine linen sheets.  These she shook most lustily in order to free them from the rose leaves, lavender sprigs and tobacco, which she had placed between their folds.  With the former she thought to perfume them, while the latter was put there for the purpose of keeping out moths.  The old creature had heard that tobacco was good to keep moths from woolens, and she knew of no reason why it would not answer every purpose for linen.

“Thar,” said she, on returning to the house, “these begins to look a little like Marster William.  They was gin to me by old marster, jest afore he died.  They ’longed to old Miss, and if any one on us could read, I reckon we should find her name on ’em somewhar writ in brawdery.”

When the bed and room were adjusted to her satisfaction, she went down to the kitchen and took a seat there.  Here Aunt Judy found her about ten o’clock that night.

“What on airth you sittin’ here for?” said she.

“Oh, I’s only waitin’ till Marster William gets a little used to his room afore I axes him how he likes it and does he want anything.”

Accordingly, not long after, Aunt Katy stole upstairs and opening the door called out, “Ho, Marster William, does you want anything, and is you got enough kiver?”

But “Marster William’s” senses were too soundly locked in sleep to heed the faithful creature, and after standing still a moment, she said to herself, “I’m mighty feared he’ll cotch cold.”

So back she went to her cabin and from the same “red chist” took a many-colored patchwork quilt.  This she carried to the house and spread carefully over Mr. Middleton, saying, “He won’t be none too comfortable, and in the mornin’ he’ll see it, and I’ll tell him I done pieced and quilted it my own self.”

The consequence of this extra covering was that Mr. Middleton awoke in the night with the impression that he was being suffocated in the hot climate of Calcutta!  He did not know that she, to whom he was indebted for his warm berth, was now sleeping quietly and dreaming “how tickled Marster William would be when he knew she had lent him her spare sheets and bedquilt!”

CHAPTER XVI

Fanny refuses to go to new Orleans

The next day was the Sabbath.  Contrary to their usual custom on such mornings, Mr. Middleton and his negroes were astir at an early hour.  The female portion of the latter were occupied in preparing a great breakfast in honor of “Marster William’s” arrival, while Mr. Middleton busied himself in removing a part of his dark, heavy beard.