“How she gwine ter hab quiet w’en ole miss gwine ter hab Marse Perkins whip me’n Aun’ Jinkey ter daith?”

“Nonsense!  Why should either of you be punished?"’

“Well missus, I ’fess ter you,” sobbed Zany, “kaze you got more feelin’ fer us.  Chunk come las’ night ter say good-by ter he granny’n me, en den he put out fer good, en ain’ comin’ back no mo’.  Perkins en he dog foun’ hit out dis mawnin’, en Aun’ Jinkey tole ‘im, too, I reck’n, she all broke up.  Perkins been talkin’ ter ole miss en she look lak she al’ways does w’en ders no let up.  Hit ud des kill Miss Lou if she knew me’n Aun’ Jinkey wuz bein’ whipped.”

“Zany,” said Mrs. Whately in rising anger, “you both had full warning.  You knew what Chunk had done.  He stole my son’s horse and one from his master also, beside doing other things that could not be forgiven.”

“Please reckermember, missus, dat Chunk en me is mighty sweet on each oder en he Aun’ Jinkey gran’boy.  Tain’ dat we ’prove of his goin’s on, but how cud we tell on ’im en see ’im daid, w’en he des come ter say good-by.  Oh, ef Miss Lou on’y well she neber let dat ole Perkins tech us.”

“I will see your master before anything is done,” said Mrs. Whately with troubled face.  “Go to your work now.  I will get Mrs. Waldo to watch in my place after a while.”

Mr. Baron was depressed physically and mentally by the trying events of the past few weeks, but the fact that Chunk had ventured on the place again and had been permitted to escape angered him deeply.  He also accepted the view of his wife and overseer that all discipline among the slaves would soon be at an end if so serious an offence were overlooked.  It would be a confession of weakness and fear they believed which would have a most demoralizing effect in the quarters.  Chunk represented the worst offences of which the slaves could be guilty; the most solemn warnings had been given against aiding and abetting him in any way.  To do nothing now would be a virtual permission of lawlessness.  There was no thought of mercy for Zany, but Aun’ Jinkey’s age, feebleness, together with her relations to Chunk and Miss Lou, complicated matters.

Husband and wife were still consulting when Mrs. Whately joined them.  Mrs. Baron did not welcome her guest, feeling that this was purely a personal affair, and was in no mood to brook interference.

“I can’t be absent long,” began Mrs. Whately, “Zany has told me everything and—­”

“I think, sister, that Mr. Baron and I can manage this matter,” interrupted Mrs. Baron coolly.

“No doubt you can,” Mrs. Whately replied with dignity.  “I did not come down to interfere with your domestic affairs.  There is one point on which I have a right to speak and must speak.  You can’t punish Aun’ Jinkey and Zany now if knowledge of such punishment can in any way reach our niece.  No matter how much they may deserve it, I say you cannot do it.  I promised Zany nothing, held out no hope to her of escape, but to you I will speak plainly.  If you should excite and disturb Louise now, you might easily cause her death.  If you feel that you cannot overlook the offence (and I know how serious a one it is) wait till I can remove Louise to my own house.  You will find that Dr. Pelton when he arrives will confirm my words.”