Page:A Study in Colour - Augusta Zelia Fraser.pdf/40

Rh looking white bandage with which, as was her custom (aided by castor oil), she vainly endeavoured to restrain the curliness of her woolly locks, slipped on her cotton frock and shoes, and she was ready for her walk. Indeed, I am not very certain that at this early hour she did not revert to the primitive habits of her childhood, and dispense with the shoes.

"Little Massa" must, of course, wear his best, for the road which she preferred for his morning walk was the highway to Port Albert Market, and to her the cream of the whole proceedings lay in the salutations and admiring exclamations that he received from the negro market-women.

Thus she shed salt tears over a neat and unobtrusive grey garment that the Missus, in a fit of virtuous economy, had made out of a new but unused dress of her own. In vain was its utility and beauty pointed out to Justina, she remained blind to its advantages.

"No, Missus! No. I nebber, nebber can say I like it. Dat my tredger Buckra Massa should wear ole tings I quite 'shamed to tuk him out dressed like dat 'fore de market-women."