But we brung 'em all along.
"Now, Jedge," he continued, "of co'se, I think I can do something for these two bucks Bill and Jim--this gal only persuaded 'em to run away with her.

But if I was you, I shore would sell that Lily gal South, right away.

She's bound fer to make trouble, and nothin' but trouble, fer you as long as you keep her round the place." The speaker, coarse and ignorant, presented a contrast to the tall, dignified and quiet gentleman whom he accosted, and who now stood, with hands in pockets, looking on with genuine concern on his face.
"Lily," said he at length, "what makes you act this way?
Haven't you always been treated well down there at home ?" "Yas, sir, I reckon so," replied the girl sullenly; "well as anybody's niggahs is!" "Then why do you want to run off?
This is the third time in the last year.

I've been kind to you--I say, Dunwody," he went on, turning suddenly as he saw the latter approach--"haven't I always treated my people right?
Haven't I always given them everything in the world they ought to have ?" "Yes, Judge, that's the truth, and any neighbor of yours will say it," assented Dunwody as he joined the group.

"What's wrong then?
This Lily girl run off again?
Seems to me you told me about her." "Yes," said Judge Clayton, rubbing a finger across his chin in perturbation, "the poor thing doesn't know when she's well off.
But what am I to do with her, that's the question?
I don't believe in whipping; but in this case, Wilson, I'm going to turn over those two boys to you.