“I reckon so. He used to tell ‘at his home was thar.” A pallid hand was reached slowly out to him. “I’m right glad to see ye. Take a cheer and set. Bring a cheer, Sally.”

But the girl had already placed him a chair, which he drew close to the bedside. He took the feeble old hand and slipped his fingers along to rest lightly on the wrist.

“You needn’t stan’ watchin’ me, Cass. You ‘n’ Sally set suthin’ fer th’ doctah to eat. I reckon ye’re all about gone fer hunger.”

“Yes, mothah, right soon. Fry a little pork to go with the pone, Aunt Sally. Is any coffee left in the pot?”

“I done put in a leetle mo’ when I heered the mule hollah. I knowed ye’d