Tempest and Sunshine - Page 146/234

"Oh, I's only waitin' till Marster William gets a little used to his room

afore I axes him how he likes it and does he want anything."

Accordingly, not long after, Aunt Katy stole upstairs and opening the door

called out, "Ho, Marster William, does you want anything, and is you got

enough kiver?"

But "Marster William's" senses were too soundly locked in sleep to heed

the faithful creature, and after standing still a moment, she said to

herself, "I'm mighty feared he'll cotch cold."

So back she went to her cabin and from the same "red chist" took a

many-colored patchwork quilt. This she carried to the house and spread

carefully over Mr. Middleton, saying, "He won't be none too comfortable,

and in the mornin' he'll see it, and I'll tell him I done pieced and

quilted it my own self."

The consequence of this extra covering was that Mr. Middleton awoke in the

night with the impression that he was being suffocated in the hot climate

of Calcutta! He did not know that she, to whom he was indebted for his

warm berth, was now sleeping quietly and dreaming "how tickled Marster

William would be when he knew she had lent him her spare sheets and

bedquilt!"