_Dolly._ You know massa took Linda ’way las’ night, an’ tell missis dat he has sold her and sent her down de river; but I don’t b’lieve he has sold her at all. He went ober towards de poplar farm, an’ I tink Linda is ober dar now. Ef she is dar, missis’ll find it out, fer she tell’d massa las’ night, dat ef Linda was in de neighborhood, she’d find her.
_Scene 3._—SITTING-ROOM—CHAIRS AND TABLE.
_Hannah._ I don’t keer what missis says; I don’t like Cato, an’ I won’t live wid him. I always love my Sammy, an’ I loves him now.
Walk in, sir; take a seat. I’ll call missis, sir; massa is gone away.
_Maj. Moore._ So I am here at last, and the Colonel is not at home. I hope his wife is a good-looking woman. I rather like fine-looking women, especially when their husbands are from home. Well, I’ve studied human nature to some purpose. If you wish to get the good will of a man, don’t praise his wife, and if you wish to gain the favor of a woman, praise her children, and swear that they are the picture of their father, whether they are or not. Ah! here comes the lady.
_Maj. M._ Good morning, madam! I am Maj. Moore, of Jefferson. The Colonel and I had seats near each other in the last Legislature.
_Mrs. G._ Be seated, sir. I think I’ve heard the Colonel speak of you. He’s away, now; but I expect him every moment. You’re a stranger here, I presume?
_Maj. M._ Yes, madam, I am. I rather like the Colonel’s situation here.
_Mrs. G._ It is thought to be a fine location.
[_Sampey gets the fan and passes near the Major, who mistakes the boy for the Colonel’s son. He reaches out his hand._
_Maj. M._ How do you do, bub? Madam, I should have known that this was the Colonel’s son, if I had met him in California; for he looks so much like his papa.
_Mrs. G._ [_To the boy._] Get out of here this minute. Go to the kitchen.
_Maj. M._ I beg your pardon, madam; I beg your pardon.
_Mrs. G._ No offence, sir; mistakes will be made. Ah! here comes the Colonel.
_Dr. Gaines._ Bless my soul, how are you, Major? I’m exceedingly pleased to see you. Be seated, be seated, Major.
_Mrs. G._ Please excuse me, gentlemen; I must go and look after dinner, for I’ve no doubt that the Major will have an appetite for dinner, by the time it is ready.