"Down on de low grouns--dis mornin'.

Dat's right," he said, as he saw dawning unbelief in his mistress' face.

"Now you have to skuse me, Miss Hallie.
I got my wuck to do." "One moment, William," interposed Mrs.Cary, completely unconvinced.
"You are sure he was on the low grounds ?" "Cose I is!" asseverated Uncle Billy, meanwhile backing farther away.
"What was he doing there ?" Uncle Billy stammered.
"He--he--he, he was trespassin', dat's what he was doin'-- des natcherly trespassin'." At this marvel of testimony, Mrs.Cary's lips relaxed in a smile and she warned him with an upraised finger.
"Be careful, Uncle Billy! Be careful." "Yas, _mar'm_" chuckled the old man.

"I _had_ to be.

I never would a-got him! Oh, I's tellin' de trufe, Miss Hallie.