THE COLONEL'S AWAKENING
Estridge; you kin 'pend on me—I ain't gwine to shu'k even ef 't is Christmus."
"That 's right, Ike. I can depend upon you. You're always faithful. Just you get things done up right for me, and I'll give you that broadcloth suit of mine. It's most as good as new."
"Thanky, Mas' Bob, thanky." The old Negro said it as fervently as if he had not worn out that old broadcloth a dozen years ago.
"It's late and we've got to hurry if we want things prepared in time. Tell Lize that I want her to let herself out on that dinner. Your Mas' Bob and your Mas' Stanton are going to be home to-morrow, and I want to show them that their father's house has n't lost any of the qualities that have made it famous in Virginia for a hundred years. Ike, there ain't anything in this world for making men out of boys like making them feel the debt they owe to their name and family."
"Yes, suh, Mas' Bob an' Mas' Stant sholy is mighty fine men."
"There ain't two finer in the whole country, sir, no, sir, not in all Virginia, and that of necessity means the whole country. Now, Ike, I want you to get out some of that wine up in
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