can see him now." And Sam and Andy leaned up against the barn, and laughed to their hearts' content. "Yer oughter seen how mad he looked when I brought the hoss up. Lord, he 'd a killed me, if he durs' to; and there I was a standin' as innercent and as humble." "Lor, I seed you," said Andy; "an't you an old hoss, Sam!" "Rather spects I am," said Sam; "did yer see missis up stars at the winder? I seed her laughin'." "I'm sure, I was racin' so, I did n't see nothing," said Andy. "Well, yer see," said Sam, proceeding gravely to wash down Haley's pony, "I 'se 'quired what ye may call a habit o' bobservation, Andy. It 's a very 'portant habit, Andy, and I 'commend yer to be cultivatin' it, now yer young. Hist up that hind foot, Andy. Yer see, Andy, it 's bobservation makes all de difference in niggers. Did n't I see which way the wind blew dis yer mornin'? Did n't I see what missis wanted, though she never let on? Dat ar 's bobservation, Andy. I spects it 's what you may call a faculty. Faculties is different in different peoples, but cultivation of 'em goes a great way." "I guess if I had n't helped your bobservation dis morn- in', yer would n't have seen your way so smart," said Andy. " Andy," said Sam, "you 's a promisin' child, der an't no manner o' doubt. I think lots of yer, Andy; and I don't feel no ways ashamed to take idees from you. We oughtenter overlook nobody, Andy, cause the smartest on us gets tripped up sometimes. And so, Andy, let 's go up to the house now. I 'll be boun' missis 'll give us an un- common good bite, dis yer time." -54- |