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Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920

"The Minister's Charge"

"
Statira did not say anything. She walked on the other side of 'Manda
Grier, who thrust her in the side from time to time with a lift of
her elbow, in demand of sympathy and corroboration; but though she
only spoke to answer yes or no, Lemuel could see that she was always
smiling or else biting her lip to keep herself from it. He thought
she looked about as pretty as anybody could, and that she was again
very fashionably dressed. She had on a short dolman, and a pretty
hat that shaded her forehead but fitted close round, and she wore
long gloves that came up on her sleeves. She had a book from the
library; she walked with a little bridling movement that he found
very ladylike. 'Manda Grier tilted along between them, and her
tongue ran and ran, so that Lemuel, when they came to Miss Vane's
provision man's, could hardly get in a word to say that he guessed
he must stop there.
Statira drifted on a few paces, but 'Manda Grier halted abruptly
with him. "Well, 'f you're ever up our way we sh'd be much pleased
to have you call, Mr. Barker," she said formally.
"I should be much pleased to do so," said Lemuel with equal state.
"'Tain't but just a little ways round here on the Avenue," she
added.
Lemuel answered, "I guess I know where it is." He did not mean it
for anything of a joke, but both the girls laughed, and though she
had been so silent before, Statira laughed the most.


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