And what did that beastly little negro mean by telling him that Keswick and Miss March were to be married at Christmas, and that the two were kissing each other good-bye in the parlor?
Why, the man had not even come out to put her in the carriage, and the omission of this courtesy was very remarkable.

These questions were entirely too difficult for him to resolve by himself.

It was absolutely necessary that more should be told to him, and explained to him.

Seeing the negro boy Plez crossing the yard, he called him and asked him to tell Mr Keswick that Mr Croft wished to see him immediately.
"Mahs' Junius," said the boy, "he done gone to de railroad to take de kyars.

He done took he knapsack on he back, an' walk 'cross de fiel's." When, about an hour or two afterwards, Uncle Isham brought Mr Croft his dinner, the old negro appeared to have lost that air of attentive geniality which he usually put on while waiting on the gentleman.
Lawrence, however, took no notice of this, but before the man reached the table, on which he was to place the tray he carried, he asked: "Is it true that Mr Keswick has gone away by train ?" "Yaas, sah," answered Isham.
"And where is Mrs Keswick ?" asked Lawrence.