Judging that her companion wished to eat in undisturbed silence, Hester helped herself to some rice, and quietly began supper. Sally eyed her all the time, but was too busy feeding herself to indulge in speech. At last she put down her spoon with a sigh of satisfaction, and said, "Das good!" with such an air of honest sincerity that Hester gave way to an irresistible laugh. "Yes, it is very good indeed. Did you cook it?" asked Hester, anxious to atone for her impoliteness. "Yes. I cook 'im. I do all de cookin' in dis yar ouse--an' most ob de eatin' too." "By the way, Sally, what is it that you keep pounding so constantly in that--that hole off the front room?" "Coffee," answered Sally, with a nod. "Indeed! Surely not the household coffee. You cannot drink such a quantity!" Sally stared for a minute; then opened her mouth, shut her eyes, threw back her head, and chuckled. "No," she said, with sudden gravity; "if we drink'd it all we'd all bu'st right off. I pounds it, Missis Lilly sells it, an' massa pockets de money." "Do you pound much?" asked Hester, in a tone of sympathy. "Oh! housefuls," said Sally, opening her eyes wide. "'Gin at daylight-- work till dark, 'cept when doin' oder t'ings. De Moors drink it. Awrful drinkers am de Moors. Mornin', noon, an' night dey swill leetle cups ob coffee. Das de reason dey's all so brown." "Indeed? I never heard before that the brown-ness of their complexion was owing to that. Are you sure?" "Oh yes; kite sure. Coffee comes troo de skin--das it," returned Sally, with perfect confidence of tone and manner. Suddenly she was smitten with a new idea, and stared for some time at her fellow-slave. At last she got it out. "Missis Lilly say dat you's dumb. How kin you speak so well if you's dumb?" Poor Hester was greatly perplexed. She did not know how far her companion had been let into the secret reason of her being there, and was afraid to answer. At last she made up her mind. "I am not really dumb, you know; I have only to be dumb when in the street, or when any visitor is in the house here; but when alone with Mrs Lilly or you I am allowed to speak low." A gleam of intelligence beamed on the black girl's face as she said, "No, you's not dumb. Moreober, you's not black!" "Oh, Sally!" exclaimed Hester, in quite a frightened tone; "how did you find that out?" "Hasn't I got eyes an' ears?" demanded Sally. "Your voice ain't nigger, your 'plexion ain't nigger, an' your mout' an' nose ain't nigger. Does you t'ink Sally's an ass?" "No, indeed, I am sure you are not; but--but, you--you won't betray me, Sally?" "Whas dat?" "You won't tell upon me? Oh, you can't think what dreadful punishment I shall get if I am found out! You won't tell on me, _dear_ Sally--won't you not?" entreated Hester, with tears in her eyes. "Dere, stop dat! Don't cry! Das wuss dan speakin', for de tearz'll wash all de black off your face! Tell on you? Dee see dat?"