"I'se heard what you 'peak jus' now to Mass' Eastman.

Um railly goin' leabe de plantashun for true, hey ?" "Yes," said I.

"I am to go to England in the _Josephine_, that big ship we saw to-day, if my mother consents." "Den, I go too!" replied Jake impressively.
"Nonsense!" cried I, laughing at this determination of his.

"Captain Miles won't take you." "Won't him, dough--me 'peak to him byme-by, an' you see den!" "You can speak if you like," I replied in an off-hand way as he went away with the horses; while I ascended the terrace steps and proceeded into the house to hear what mother had to say on the subject of my going away.
I found, however, when I got in, that dad had already told the news; and it came out presently that the matter had really all been arranged beforehand.
My father, I heard now, had received an offer to sell his plantation, as my mother told me, but my illness had prevented him from closing with it; and so the opportunity had slipped.

Consequently, as he would still have to remain at Mount Pleasant for possibly an indefinite time, he had made up his mind to adhere to his original plan and send me home to school without further delay.