She had gone away from the house, and, for all he knew, she might stay away for days or weeks, as she had done before, and Uncle Isham was never so much "on the careen" as when he found himself forced to believe that his old mistress was still a woman who could do a thing like that.
Letty had no objections to answering questions, but much to her disappointment, Lawrence asked her none.

He had had enough of catechising negroes.

But he requested her to ask Mrs Null if she would be kind enough to step out, for a few minutes, and speak to him.

When, very shortly thereafter, that lady appeared, Lawrence was seated at his open door ready to receive her.
"How are you ?" she said.

"And how is your ankle to-day?
You have had nobody to attend to it." "It has hurt me a good deal," he answered.