_Cato._ Big Jim! Why, let dat nigger go to Ginny. I want to know, now, if you is tinkin’ about dat common nigger? Why, Miss Tappy, I is surstonished dat you should tink ’bout frowin’ yousef away wid a common, ugly lookin’ cuss like Big Jim, when you can get a fine lookin’, suspectable man like me. Come, Miss Tappy, choose dis day who you have. Afore I go any furder, give me one kiss. Come, give me one kiss. Come, let me kiss you.
_Tap._ No you shan’t—dare now! You shan’t kiss me widout you is stronger den I is; and I know you is dat. [_He kisses her._]
_Cato._ Did you know, Miss Tappy, dat I is de head doctor ’bout dis house? I beats de ole boss all to pieces.
_Tap._ I hev hearn dat you bleeds and pulls teef.
_Cato._ Yes, Miss Tappy; massa could not get along widout me, for massa was made a doctor by books; but I is a natral doctor. I was born a doctor, jess as Lorenzo Dow was born a preacher. So you see I can’t be nuffin’ but a doctor, while massa is a bunglin’ ole cuss at de bissness.
_Dr. Gaines_, (in a low voice.) Never mind; I’ll teach you a lesson, that I will.
_Cato._ You see, Miss Tappy, I was gwine to say—— Ah! but afore I forget, jess give me anudder kiss, jess to keep company wid de one dat you give me jess now,—dat’s all, [_Kisses her._] Now, Miss Tappy, duse you know de fuss time dat I seed you?
_Cato._ Well, it was at de camp-meetin’. Oh, Miss Tappy, dat pretty red calliker dress you had on dat time did de work for me. It made my heart flutter—
_Dr. G._ (low voice.) Yes, and I’ll make your black hide flutter.
_Cato._ Didn’t I hear some noise? By golly, dar is teves in dis house, and I’ll drive ’em out.
[_Takes a chair and runs at the Doctor, and knocks him down. The Doctor chases Cato round the table._
_Cato._ Oh, massa, I didn’t know ’twas you!
_Dr. G._ You scoundrel! I’ll whip you well. Stop! I tell you.
_MRS. GAINES, seated in an arm chair, reading a letter._
_Mrs. Gaines._ You need not tell me, Hannah, that you don’t want another husband, I know better. Your master has sold Sam, and he’s gone down the river, and you’ll never see him again. So, go and put on your calico dress, and meet me in the kitchen. I intend for you to _jump the broomstick_ with Cato. You need not tell me that you don’t want another man. I know that there’s no woman living that can be happy and satisfied without a husband.