Once her breath came across his cheek, when she turned
quickly to see if he was looking where she was pointing.
They sat down and talked, and all at once Statira exclaimed,
"_Well!_ I should think 'Manda Grier was _makin'_ that key!"
Now, whatever happened, Lemuel was bound to say, "I don't think
she's been gone very long."
"Well, you're pretty patient, I _must_ say," said Statira, and
he did not know whether she was making fun of him or not. He tried
to think of something to say, but could not. "I hope she'll fetch a
lamp, too, when she comes," Statira went on, and now he saw that it
was beginning to be a little darker. Perhaps that about the lamp was
a hint for him to go; but he did not see exactly how he could go
till 'Manda Grier came back; he felt that it would not be polite.
"Well, there!" said Statira, as if she divined his feeling. I shall
give 'Manda Grier a _good_ talking-to. I'm awfully afraid we're
keeping you, Mr. Barker."
"Not at all," said Lemuel; "I'm afraid I'm keeping _you_."
"Oh, not at all," said Statira. She became rather quieter, till
'Manda Grier came back.
'Manda Grier burst into the room, with a key in one hand and a lamp
in the other. "Well, I knew you two'd be holdin' Quaker's meetin'."
"We hain't at all! How d'you know we have? Have we, Mr. Barker?"
returned Statira, in simultaneous admission and denial.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168