“You had better send for her at once, and give her orders to proceed immediately to the cabin,” said Harry, “for without her we would be unable to know whether the child is that of Alfred Wentworth or of some other unfortunate soldier.”

“Here, John!” called out Dr. Humphries after the retreating form of the groom, “come here to me.”

The boy turned back and returned to the side of the buggy.

“Tell Elsy to come here at once,” said the Doctor.

The boy moved off to comply with his master’s order, and in a few moments returned, accompanied by Elsy.

“Do you go to the old woman’s cabin,” said Dr. Humphries, as soon as she had reached the side of the buggy, “and wait there until I arrive.  There is no necessity to mention what I am going there for.”

“Yes sah,” replied Elsy, as she turned away to do her master’s bidding.

“And now,” remarked the Doctor, “we will go on and find out who these people are.  But before we go, I had better purchase a few things that will relieve the necessities of the child.”

With these words the Doctor drove off, and on arriving in front of a store, drew in the reins and, alighting, shortly after returned with several packages, which he placed in the buggy and, re-entering it, he drove to the cabin of the old slave.  On arriving there the Doctor and Harry found the old woman and the child seated in the room talking.  The boy appeared quite contented, now that his grief at the loss of his sister and departure of his mother had subsided, and was laughing merrily when they entered.  He was dressed very cleanly and neatly by the old slave, who had expended all her savings in purchasing suitable cloths for him, and his appearance excited the remark of the Doctor and his companion the moment they entered the threshold of the room and saw him.

“Good day sah,” said the old negro, rising and curtseying as soon as the two gentlemen entered.

“God day, Auntie,” said the doctor, “how are you getting on.”

“Berry well,” answered the old woman, and then added, “I’m mighty glad you come here dis day, for I want to talk wid you ’bout dis here chile.”

“I have heard all about him, Auntie,” said the Doctor, “and have come here expressly for the purpose of learning something about his parents.”

“’Spose dat gal Elsy tell you,” observed the old woman, snappishly, nettled because she had not the opportunity of telling her master the tale of Mrs. Wentworth and her children.

“Yes, Auntie,” he replied, “Elsy told me, but not before I had asked her all about those unfortunate people, so you must not be mad with her.”

“She might ha’ waited till you see me befo’ she say anyting about it,” remarked the old woman.

“Never mind that, Auntie,” replied the Doctor, who knew the old woman’s jealous disposition and wanted to pacify her.  “Has Elsy been here yet?”

“No sah,” she replied, “I aint seen her since mornin’.”