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338 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; OR
" Cruel, — wicked !' said the boy, with unaffected surprise. " What do you mean, dear Eva? "
" I don't want you to call me dear Eva, when you do so," said Eva.
" Dear cousin, you don't know Dodo ; it is the only way to manage him, he 's so full of lies and excuses. The only way is to put him down at once, — not let him open his mouth ; that's the way papa manages."
" But Uncle Tom said it was an accident, and he never tells what is n't true."
" He 's an uncommon old nigger, then! " said Henrique. " Dodo will lie as fast as he can speak."
" You frighten him into deceiving, if you treat him so."
" Why, Eva, you 've really taken such a fancy to Dodo, that I shall be jealous."
" But you beat him, — and he did n't deserve it."
" Oh, well, it may go for some time when he does, and don't get it. A few cuts never come amiss with Dodo, — he 's a regular spirit, I can tell you ; but I won't beat him again before you, if it troubles you."
Eva was not satisfied, but found it in vain to try to make her handsome cousin understand her feelings.
Dodo soon appeared with the horses.
" Well, Dodo, you 've done pretty well, this time," said his young master, with a more gracious air. " Come, now, and hold Miss Eva's horse, while I put her on the saddle."
Dodo came and stood by Eva's pony. His face was troubled, his eyes looked as if he had been crying.
Henrique, who valued himself on his gentlemanly adroitness in all matters of gallantry, soon had his fair cousin in the saddle, and, gathering the reins, placed them in her hands.
But Eva bent to the other side of the horse, where Dodo was standing, and said, as he relinquished the reins, — " That's a good boy, Dodo ; — thank you !'
Dodo looked up in amazement into the sweet young |
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