There was silence except for the crackling of the fire, until Neb moved uneasily.

At the sound the girl looked up, seeing clearly the good-natured face of the negro.
"Yo' don't nebber need cry, Missus," he said soberly, "so long as Massa Jack done 'greed to look after yo'." "Have--have you known him long ?" "Has I knowed him long, honey?
Ebber sence befo' de wah.

Why I done knowed Massa Jack when he wan't more'n dat high.

Lawd, he sho' was a lively youngster, but mighty good hearted to us niggers." She hesitated to question a servant, and yet felt she must uncover the truth.
"Who is he?
Is he all he claims to be--a Virginia gentleman ?" All the loyalty and pride of slavery days was in Neb.

"He sho' am, Missus; dar ain't nuthin' higher in ol' Virginia dan de Keiths.