HOW JUNE FOUND MASSA LINKUM. 77

“ Creline, what ’s he done gone come down here fur? Am
he de Messiah ? ”

“ Bress yer soul, chile! don’ ye know better ’n dat ar?”

“ Don’ know nuffin,” said June, sullenly. ‘ Neber knows
nuffin ; ’spects I neber’s gwine to. Can’ go out in de road
to fine out,— she beat me. Can’ ask nuffin,—she jest gib
me a push down cellar. O Creline, der’s sech rats down dar
now, — dar is!”’

“ Yer poor critter!” said Creline, with great contempt for
her ignorance. “ Why, Massa Linkum, eberybody knows
*bout he! He’s done gone made we free,— whole heap
on we.”

“Free!” echoed June, with puzzled eyes.

“ Laws, yes, chile; ’pears like yer ’s drefful stupid. Yer
don’ b’long —” Creline lowered her voice to a mysterious
whisper, and looked carefully at the closed door, —“ yer don’
b’long to Missus Jolly no more dan she b’long to you, an’
dat ’s de trufe now, ’case Massa Linkum say so, — God bress
him!”

Just then Madame Joilet came back.

“‘ What ’s that you ’re talking about?” she said sharply.

“¢ June was jes’ sayin’ what a heap she tink ob you, ae
said Creline, with a grave face.

June lay awake a long time that night, thinking about
Massa Linkum, and the wonderful news Creline had brought,
and wondering when Madame Joilet would tell her that she
was free.