I hain't got any fate in that line."
"Well, that's what we're goin' to find out," said Statira; but again
the verses and alphabet were repeated without effect.
"Now you satisfied?" asked 'Manda Grier.
"No, not yet. Begin again, Mr. Barker!"
He did so, and at the second letter the book dropped. Statira jumped
up, and 'Manda Grier began to chase her round the room, to box her
ears for her, she said. Lemuel sat looking on. He did not feel at
all severe toward them, as he usually did toward girls that cut up;
he did not feel that this was cutting up, in fact.
"Stop, stop!" implored Statira, "and I'll let you try it over
again."
"No, it's your turn now!"
"No, I ain't going to have any," said Statira, folding her arms.
"You got to," said 'Manda Grier. "The rest of us has, and now you've
got to. Hain't she got to, Mr. Barker?"
"Yes," said Lemuel delightedly; "you've got to, Miss Dudley."
"Miss Dudley!" repeated 'Manda Grier. "How that _does_ sound."
"I don't know as it sounds any worse than Mr. Barker," said Lemuel.
"Well," said 'Manda Grier judicially, "I she'd think it was 'bout
time they was both of 'em dropped, 'T any rate, I don't want you
should call me Miss Grier--Lemuel."
"Oh!" cried Statira. "Well, you _are_ getting along, 'Manda
Grier!"
"Well, don't you let yourself be outdone then, S'tira.
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