Most fortunately the main feature in the case remained undiscovered.  The fact that a Union scout had been hidden and permitted to depart would have been another bombshell, and the consequences of its explosion would have been equally hard to predict or circumscribe.  As it was, Miss Lou and Aun’ Jinkey received a certain remorseful sympathy which they would have forfeited utterly had the truth been revealed.  And the secret did tremble on the lips of Zany.  She was not only greatly aggrieved that Chunk had “runned away” after all, without her, and had become a sort of hero among his own kind on the plantation, but she also felt keenly her own enforced insignificance when she knew so much more than that Chunk had merely decamped.  Her mistress little dreamed, as the girl waited stolidly and sullenly on the table, that she was so swelling with her secret as to be like a powder magazine.  But fear rather than faith finally sealed Zany’s lips.  She was aware that the first question asked would be, “If you knew so much, why didn’t you tell?” and she could give no reason which would save her from condign punishment.  Moreover, she hoped that Chunk would soon return with no end of “Linkum men,” and then her silence would be rewarded.

Supper was sent up to Miss Lou and her guest, and the old woman, having at last some sense of security, made her first good meal since “things began to happen.”  Then she hankered after her pipe.  “I’ll get it for you,” said the warm-hearted girl.  She stole to the head of the landing, and, the hall below being clear at the moment, she flitted down and out at the back door, reaching the deserted cabin unobserved.  How desolate it looked in the fading twilight!  The fire was out on the hearth, and the old creaking chair was empty.  But Miss Lou did not think of Aun’ Jinkey.  Her thoughts were rather of a stranger whose face had been eloquent of gratitude as he offered to shield her with his life.  Then she remembered his excited question as to the time of the marriage.  “When?” Had her answer anything to do with the sudden and bold departure?  Her heart was in a sudden flutter.  She snatched the corncob pipe and tobacco pouch, and sped back again in a strange blending of fear and hope.  She felt guilty that she could dare hope to see him, a Yankee, again.  “But his smile was so pleasant and frank!” she murmured.  “Oh, I never remember to have had such genial, honest, unreserved good-will looked at me by any one except mammy, and she’s so old and wrinkled that she can’t look much of anything.  What handsome, kind, dark eyes he had!  Yet they would all say, ‘He’s a monster!’”

She made her way back in safety until she reached the head of the stairs, and then came plump upon her aunt.  “Where have you been?” asked Mrs. Baron, sharply.

“After Aun’ Jinkey’s pipe.”

“Horrible!  I forbid her smoking in this house.”

“I shall permit her to smoke in my room.”