DELIBERATION OF MR. DUNKIN
dark. His steps were taking him toward Major Richardson's. He heard a footstep, and who should be coming toward him, arrayed even as Martha Madison had said, but the subject of his cogitations? Mr. Dunkin thought he saw Alonzo start as their eyes met. He had a bouquet in his hand.
"Hey ho, 'Lonzo. Gwine down to Miss Callena's?"
"Why— why— ye'— yes. I jes' thought I would walk down that way in yo' int'rus'."
"My! but you sholy has got yo'se'f up fit to kill."
"When de genul sen's his messengers out to negoterate, dey mus' go in full unifo'm, so's to impress de people dat dey genul is somebody."
"Jesso," assented the elder man, "but I don't want you to be waihin' out yo' clothes in my suhvice, 'Lonzo."
"Oh, dat's all right, Mistah Dunkin; hit's a pleasuah, I assuah you."
"How's things comin' on, anyhow, down to Miss Callena's?"
"Could n't be bettah, suh; dey 's most puspicious. Hit'll soon be time fu' you to come in an' tek mattahs in yo' own han's."
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