I'll nevah get all these clothes done up by night if I stop my i'onin', an' John Jay's done lit out again! little black rascal!" She lifted up her voice in another wavering call.

"John Ja-a-y!" The beech woods opposite threw back the echo of her voice, sweet and clear,--"Ja-a-y!" "Heah I come, Mammy!" cried a panting voice.

"I was jus' turnin' the grine-stone for Uncle Billy." She looked at him suspiciously an instant, then handed him the basket.
"Take these aigs ovah to Miss Hallie," she ordered, "and mind you be quickah'n you was last time, or they might hatch befo' you get there." "Law now, Mammy!" said John Jay, with a grin.

He snatched at the basket, impatient to be off, for while standing before her he had kept scratching his right shoulder with his left hand; not that there was any need to do so, but it gave him an excuse for holding together the jagged edges of a great tear in his new shirt.

He was afraid it might be discovered before he could get away.
It was one of John Jay's peculiarities that in going on an errand he always chose the most roundabout route.