“Dey was name Wentworth,” she replied.

“Wantworth—­Wentworth,” repeated the old woman.  “No, dat don’t sound like de name ob de lady, but may be I forget.  What was de leetle gal name?” she added.

“Ella,” replied Elsy.

“Dat’s it,” exclaimed the old negro, “dat’s de berry name!”

“Den it was my mistis and her childen,” answered Elsy, “and you say de police take her to prison for stealin.”

“Yes, gal,” she answered, “dey take her away from de dead body ob her chile and take her to prison for stealin.”

“It ain’t true,” said Elsy, “my mistis is a born lady, and she wouldn’t steal for anyting.  I don’t beliebe a word ob it.”

“I don’t beliebe neider,” replied the old woman, “but for all dat, dey did carry her to prison because dey say she steal money.”

“My poh mistis,” remarked Elsy, bursting into tears, “I knowed dat some bad ting would happen to her—­and I was in town so long and neber eben sawed her.”

“Poh lady,” observed the old negro, “she look bery bad and sorrowful like, aldough she didn’t cry when de chile die; but she tan up by de bedside and look ‘pon de dead face widout sayin’ a word—­it made me feel bad to see her.”

“I must tell my master,” said Elsy, “so dat he can go and take her out ob prison.  It am a shame dat a lady like dat should be locked up in a prison, and Mr. Wentworth will soon take her out.”

“You better not say anyting to your master about it, yet,” observed the old woman.  “See de Doctor and tell him; he will know what to do, and den he can tell de gemman all about it a’terwards.”

“But you certain it am my mistis?” said Elsy.

“I ain’t quite sure ob dat,” she answered, “for de name sound different to de one I heard, and dats de reason I don’t want you to say noting ’bout it till de Doctor enquire into de matter and find out.  I must go now, gal,” she added, “don’t forget to tell de Doctor all ’bout it when he come home.”

“I won’t,” replied Elsy.

The old woman then left the house and returned to her cabin, where she found the little boy amusing himself on the floor with some marbles.

Dr. Humphries, accompanied by Harry, returned home at the usual hour.  After dinner Elsy requested him to speak to her for a few minutes—­a request which he promptly complied with.

“Well, my good, girl, what do you wish with me?” he enquired.

“Oh! sir,” she replied, “I hab found out whar my mistis is.”

“You have,” answered Dr. Humphries, rather astonished at the intelligence, “where is she?” he added.

“In prison, sah,” she replied.

“In prison!” exclaimed the Doctor, “for what?”

“I don’no, sah,” she replied, “but I hear it is for stealing.”

“Who gave you the information?” asked Dr. Humphries.

“It was your ole slave what libs in de cabin, up town,” answered Elsy.