"Heah is yo' suppah, sah!" announced Alexander, the waiter, as he
set the tray on the table. "Sorry I can't leave the light, sah."
He referred to a lamp, also, on the tray, which he now removed.
"What have you got?" asked Tom, sitting up.
"Bowl of bread and milk, sah."
"Is that what they give visitors for supper?"
"Gracious, sah, is yo' a visitah, sah?"
"I consider myself as such until I am placed on the muster roll."
At this Alexander scratched his woolly head. "Well, sah, I don't
know nuffin about dat, sah. I has to obey Mr. Crabtree's oahdahs,
sah."
"Has Captain Putnam come back yet?"
"No, sah, an' he sent word dat he didn't think he could git back,
sah, before morning, sah."
"Humph! Then I'll have to stay here until that time."
"I reckon so, sah."
"It's a jolly shame."
"Dat's right, sah," and Alexander grinned.
"Well, leave the bread and milk. It's better than nothing. But
hold on. Who are you?"
"Alexander Pop, sah, at yo' service, sah," and again the colored
man grinned. He was a short, fat fellow, the very embodiment of
good nature.
"Well, Alexander, if you are at my service, supposing you get me
something else to eat beside this bread and milk.
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