"
"Yes, that's jest what we'll do, Dumps; and we'll get Dilsey to go
with us, 'cause she knows the way."
Dilsey was soon found, and was very willing to accompany them, but was
puzzled to know why they wanted to go. The children, however, would
not gratify her curiosity, and they started at once, so as to be back
in time for dinner.
It was all of three miles to Mr. Smith's plantation, and the little
girls were very tired long before they got there. Dumps, indeed,
almost gave out, and once began to cry, and only stopped with Diddie's
reminding her of poor Uncle Pomp, and with Dilsey's carrying her a
little way.
At last, about two o'clock, they reached Mr. Smith's place. The hands
had just gone out into the field after dinner, and of course their
master who was only a small planter and kept no overseer, was with
them. The children found the doors all open, and went in.
The house was a double log-cabin, with a hall between, and they
entered the room on the right, which seemed to be the principal
living-room. There was a shabby old bed in one corner, with the cover
all disarranged, as if its occupant had just left it. A table,
littered with unwashed dishes, stood in the middle of the floor, and
one or two rude split-bottomed chairs completed the furniture.
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