That flash of utter disbelief again. "I'm sure my own clothes are somewhere 'round here, suh. I wouldn't wanna mess up nothin' all fancy, suh."

He leaned forward again, the scars and ink on his back stark against his skin. "Suh, I ain't tryna tell you your business or nothin' but if Massa sent someone to come lookin' for me, if you interfere, they could arrest you for abettin' a runaway slave. Which I ain't!" he hastened to clarify. "I'se gon' head back jes' as soon as I can!"

He wasn't ready to run yet. Too many unknowns still.