Arrived in her own cool and fragrant chamber, she found Deb already asleep in the small bed, her yellow hair spread upon the pillow, her gown open at the throat, a rag doll in the hollow of her arm.

Upon the floor, with her head against the bed, sat Miranda, as fast asleep as her mistress.

At Jacqueline's touch she awoke, smiled widely, and was on her feet with a spring.

"Yaas, Miss Jacqueline, I done put Miss Deb to bed.

Mammy Chloe say dat niggah Joab don' know nothin' 'bout er broken ahm, an' she too busy in de blue room.