The Man in Gray | Page 6

answer or to budge.
Phil found his shoes at the door neatly blacked and the moment he
began to stir a grinning black boy was at his heels to take his slightest
order.
"I don't want anything!" he said at last to his dusky tormentor.
"Nuttin tall, sah?"
"Nuttin tall!"
Phil smiled at the eager, rolling eyes.

"Get out--you make me laugh--"
The boy ducked.
"Yassah--des call me if ye wants me--I'se right outside de do'."
The two cadets ate breakfast alone. The house was yet asleep--except
the children. Their voices could be heard on the lawn at play. They had
been put to bed early, at eleven o'clock. They were up with the birds as
usual. The sun was an hour high, shining the glory of a perfect
September morning. The boys strolled on the lawn. The children were
everywhere, playing in groups. Little black and white boys mixed
indiscriminately. Robbie Lee was playing rooster fight with Sid, his
boon companion. The little black boy born nearest his birthday was
dedicated to be his friend, companion and body servant for life.
Phil paused to see the rooster fight.
The boys folded their arms and flew at each other sideways, using their
elbows as a rooster uses his spurs.
Robbie was pressing Sid against the fence of the rose garden. Sid's
return blows lacked strength.
Robbie stamped his foot angrily.
"Come on now--no foolin'--fight! There's no fun in a fight, if you don't
fight!"
Sid bucked up and flew at his enemy.
Robbie saw the two older boys watching and gave a star performance.
As Sid lunged at him with uplifted arms, and drew back to strike a
stunning blow, Robbie suddenly stooped, hurled his elbow under Sid's
arm, lifted him clear of the ground and he fell sprawling.
Robbie stood in triumph over the prostrate figure.
Phil laughed.

"You got him that time, Robbie!"
Robbie squared himself, raised his spurs and waited for Sid to rise.
Sid was in no hurry. He had enough. He hadn't cried. But he was close
to it.
"Ye needn't put up dem spurs at me no mo'."
"Come on again!" Robbie challenged.
"Na, sah. I'se done dead. Ye stick dat spur clean froo me. Hit mighty
nigh come out on de odder side!"
"Got enough?"
The game was suddenly ended by a barefoot white boy approaching
Robbie. Johnny Doyle carried a dozen teal ducks, six in each hand.
They were so heavy for his hands that their heads dragged the ground.
Robbie rushed to meet his friend.
"Oh, John, where'd you get the ducks?"
"Me and daddy killed 'em this mornin' at sun-up on the river."
"Why, the duck season isn't on yet, is it?" Custis asked the boy.
"No, sir, but daddy saw a big raft of teal swingin' into the bend of the
river yesterday and we got up before daylight and got a mess."
"You brought 'em to me, John?" Robbie asked eagerly.
"Jes the same, Robbie. Dad sent 'em to Colonel Lee."
"That's fine of your daddy, John," Custis said, placing his hand on the
little bare sunburnt head.
"Yessir, my daddy says Colonel Lee's the greatest man in this county

and he's mighty proud to be his neighbor."
"Tell him my father will thank him personally before we leave and say
for all that he has given us a treat."
Custis handed the ducks to Sid.
"Take them to the kitchen and tell Aunt Hannah to have them for
dinner, sure."
Sid started for the kitchen and Robbie called after him:
"Hurry back, Sid--"
"Yassah--right away, sah!"
Robbie seized John's hand.
"You'll stay all day?"
"I can't."
"We're goin' fishin'--"
"Honest?"
"Sure. Uncle Ben's sick. But after dinner he's promised to take us. He's
not too sick to fish."
"I can't stay," the barefoot boy sighed.
"Come on. There's three bird's nests in the orchard. The second layin'.
It ain't no harm to break up the second nest. Birds've no business layin'
twice in one season. We ought to break 'em up."
"I'm afraid I can't."
His tone grew weaker and Robbie pressed him.

"Come on. We'll get the bird's eggs and chase the calves and colts till
the dinner bell rings, ride the horses home from the fields, and go
fishin' after dinner and stay till dark."
"No--"
"Come on!"
John glanced up the road toward the big gate beyond which his mother
was waiting his return. The temptation was more than his boy's soul
could resist. He shook his head--paused--and grinned.
"Come on, Sid, John's goin' with us," Robbie called to his young
henchman as he approached.
"All right," John consented, finally throwing every scruple to the winds.
"Ma'll whip me shore, but, by granny, it'll be worth it!"
The aristocrat slipped his arm around his chum and led him