I do not know what practical conclusion I might have arrived at, but suddenly I lost sight of Bruno in consequence of a new adventure, in the process of which he disappeared.
A matronly looking lady came suddenly out of a gate, with a cup in one hand containing a teaspoon, and a brown earthen mug in the other hand.
She pushed the gate open before her, easily; but I saw that she was embarrassed about shutting it.

I stepped forward and assisted her.
"Some kind office for the sick, I dare say," said I.
"A woman in that plastered house is very sick," said she; "I have just fixed some marsh-mallow for her, to see if it will ease her cough.

Sorry to trouble you, sir, but my cup was so full that I could not use my hands." "I suppose," said I, "madam, if you will allow me to detain you a moment,"-- "I am afraid my drink in the cup will get cold, sir, but"-- "Only a moment, madam," said I; (for I did not feel at liberty to walk with her;) "only a moment; I am led to think, by your kindness to this poor woman, of the millions of bond-people in our Southern country who never feel the hand of love ministering to their sick and dying"-- "O you ignorant thing!" said she, pouring the contents of the cup into the mug, and then setting the cup on the mug, all without looking at me; "where were you born and bred?
You must be an abolitionist.

Southern ladies are the very best of nurses; and as to their slaves when they are sick,--why their hearts are overflowing--why!" said she, "I could tell you tales that would make you cry like a baby--the idea! millions of slaves sick and neglected! Do you belong to -- -- College ?" "Yes, madam," said I.
"Sophomore ?" said she.
"Yes, madam." But it was a cutting question.

She had an arch look as she asked it.
"Well sir," said she, with a graceful air, in a half averted direction, "you have some things to learn about your fellow-countrymen which are not put down in your Moral Philosophies.