"No, Chloe; it's many a hundred miles off," said Mrs. Shelby.
Chloe's countenance fell.
"Never mind; your going there shall bring you nearer, Chloe. Yes, you may go; and your wages shall every cent of them be laid aside for your husband's redemption."
As when a bright sunbeam turns a dark cloud to silver, so Chloe's dark face brightened immediately,—it really shone.
"Laws! if Missis isn't too good! I was thinking of dat ar very thing; cause I should n't need no clothes, nor shoes, nor nothin,—I could save every cent. How many weeks is der in a year, Missis?"
"Fifty-two," said Mrs. Shelby.
"Laws! now, dere is? and four dollars for each on 'em. Why, how much'd dat ar be?"
"Two hundred and eight dollars," said Mrs. Shelby.
"Why-e!" said Chloe, with an accent of surprise and delight; "and how long would it take me to work it out, Missis?"
"Some four or five years, Chloe; but, then, you needn't do it all,—I shall add something to it."
"I wouldn't hear to Missis' givin lessons nor nothin. Mas'r's quite right in dat ar;—'t would n't do, no ways. I hope none our family ever be brought to dat ar, while I's got hands."
"Don't fear, Chloe; I'll take care of the honor of the family," said Mrs. Shelby, smiling. "But when do you expect to go?"
"Well, I want spectin nothin; only Sam, he's a gwine to de river with some colts, and he said I could go long with him; so I jes put my things together. If Missis was willin,
