There was silence for a moment, then Vinegar interpreted:
“O—suttinly, suh,” Skeeter exclaimed. “He lives right straight out dis road whut goes in front of dis saloon. I seen Miss Jew-ann Shinny pass here to-day—gwine todes home.”
“Miss Juan?” the young man asked, giving the beautiful Latin pronunciation, and speaking the word like a caress.
“Dat’s de lady,” Skeeter answered. “Dey lives ten miles out on dis here road.”
“Where can I hire a flivver to take me out there?”
“I’s de only taxi-man in town,” Skeeter said, as he reached for his cap. “I’ll take you out dar in twenty minutes fer two dollars.”
“Get busy,” the young man answered, as he sat down to wait.
The other three negroes sat whispering to each other for a few minutes, then Vinegar inquired:
“Beg pardon, boss; ain’t you a railroad man?”
“Yes,” the stranger answered, with a barely perceptible hesitation.
“I knowed it,” Vinegar chuckled. “I bet Miss Jew-ann Shinny is gwine be glad to see you!”
“I’ll go to see now,” the young man smiled, as he heard Skeeter’s machine at the door.
It was not possible for Skeeter Butts to keep his mouth shut for twenty minutes, and the young man beside him, as he watched the long sandy road roll under the machine like a brown ribbon, was equally willing to talk.
“Is you-alls kin to de Shinnys?” Skeeter asked.
“Dar ain’t nobody at dat house to do bizzness wid excusin’ Mr. Shinny an’ Miss Jew-ann.” No answer. “Which one am you doin’ bizzness wid, boss?”
“Of co’se, I’m jes’ guessin’—but ef I wus a white man I’d shore crave to talk bizzness wid de lady.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” the stranger laughed.
“I done got you located now, boss,” Skeeter chuckled delightedly. “You is courtin’.”
They turned suddenly to the left and ran into a dark road which lead through a section of the Little Moccasin Swamp. The wheels began to slip in the mire and Skeeter gave his entire attention to his automobile to prevent stalling in the mud. At last they reached firmer ground, and Skeeter returned to the conversation.
“Of co’se, I ain’t axin’ you fer no job, boss, but I’s been powerful assistance to a whole passel of young white mens dat’s come courtin’ in dis country.”
“What special help can you render?” the stranger asked.