IN OLE VIRGINIA
made some allusion to the mint bed on which
Polly had stepped, to which she made no reply.
But as he helped her down at her own door, he
asked, "What in the world have you got there "
  "Mint," said she, with a little low, pleased
laugh.
  By light next morning it was known all over
the plantation that Miss Polly had returned.
The rejoicing, however, was clouded by the fear
that nothing would come of it.
  In Charity's house it was decided that Torm
should break the news. Torm was doubtful on
the point as the time drew near, but Charity's
mind never wavered. Finally he went in with
his master's shaving-water, having first tried
to establish his courage by sundry pulls at a
black bottle. He essayed three times to deliver
the message, but each time his courage failed,
and he hastened out under pretence of the water
having gotten cold. The last time he attracted
Charity's attention.
  "Name o' Gord, Torm, you gwine to scawl
hawgs" she asked, sarcastically.
  The next time he entered the room the Colonel
was in a fume of impatience, so he had to fix
the water. He set down the can, and bustled
about with hypocritical industry. The Colonel,
                    276