Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/36

 hit's des like I'se talkin' ter myself, honey; when I tell you."

"And this morning he gave orders to admit no one of the tribe of Graham inside the yard again?"

"Yassah!"

"Well, tell his Honour that I am here and wish to see him at once."

"Yassah, I spec he won't come down—but I tell 'im, sah."

She waddled up the stairs to the Judge's room. John heard the quarrel between them. Aunt Julie Ann's voice loud, shrill, defiant, insolent, above the Judge's. She served him for his money and her love for the old house, but secretly she despised him as she did all poor white trash and in such moments made no effort to hide her feelings.

"Bully for Aunt Julie Ann!" John chuckled.

When she returned, he slipped the last piece of money he possessed into her hand and smiled.

"Keep it for good luck," he said.

"Yassah! De Jedge say he be down as soon as he dresses—he all dress now but he des want ter keep you waitin'."

"I understand," said John with a laugh. "Are you sure, Aunt Julie Ann, that the ghost of the