"How you mean, Chang-how? Where spoonee go?"
"All no light: all longee. Spoonee go 'way: I no find him."
"Oh, but you must find them, Chang-how. How many go?"
"But they are solid silver! You really must find them."
"I am sure I don't know were you are to look. And two forks were missing last week!"
I stared reflectively at a June-bug on the window-sill. Chang-how stood with folded hands and drooping shoulders, a seraphic calm upon his features, as of one who had stood upon the burning deck when all but he had fled. Evidently he had done his duty. I was so impressed with this fact, and that the responsibility, if not the guilt, was now mine, that I simply said, "Go set the table then, Chang-how. Mr. Smith will have to tell us what to do when he comes home."
Enter Anarky: "Mis' Maud, how many hank'chers you sent out dis week?"
"An' now I ain't got but nineteen. You see dat? How many socks for Mas' Jim?"
"You see dat again? Ain't but fo' par lef'! Ef I don't beat him, shoze I'm a nigger!"
"'Tain't nobody but dat yaller varmint dat's stealin' roun' de lot.--Lor'! Lor'! ef I jes' could cotch him!"
"Anarky, while we are talking about it, I--I really wish you would manage a little better about the biscuit and--well, the eggs, and--and a good many little things of the kind. I am sure we have an abundance of everything, and it mortifies me exceedingly not to have it at table. Haven't you and Chang everything you want, and as much?"
"We gits more'n 'nuff. An' what goes outen de kitchen goes correc'. Whar dey lands 'tween dar an' de din'-room don't nobody know but dat yaller dorg. I misses things cornstant--things dat I ain't took my eyes off 'em, 'cep' ter wink; an', bless de Lord! while I wor a-winkin' de lard done took to its heels or de flour flewed away."
The next evening, when Chang brought in supper, Anarky walked by his side in solemn state, empty-handed, dignified, watchful. He appeared totally unconscious of his escort, and I made no remark; but Mr. Smith sent him into the hall on an errand, and during his absence Anarky rose to explain: "Which you see all dem biskit, Mis' Maud?"
"Yes: I am glad we are getting all right again, Anarky."
"Well, I got dat many mo' in de ub'n now--jes' like I use ter hab 'fo' dat--" Here an appalling idea seemed to strike her. "War dat Chow-chow nigger?" she exclaimed, and made a dash toward the door. As she reached it Chang-how quietly glided in and handed Mr. Smith the paper he had gone for.