Page:A Study in Colour - Augusta Zelia Fraser.pdf/46

Rh at a great pace, with all the ease that long training had given her. She had carried such loads, and far heavier ones, from her babyhood, as her mother and grandmother had done before her, and indeed would have been sorely puzzled how to do so in any other way. In Creolia, everything, from the heaviest water-jar to a mango, is carried after this fashion, with the result that all the lower class of negro women are upright as darts, and carry their heads like queens.

She was a droll-looking little mortal, with a delicious velvety bloom on her dark chocolate cheek, that made the Missus realize for the first time how little mere colour has to do with beauty of complexion; for Angelina's complexion was beautiful in spite of its dusky hue; and indeed, with her well-knit, upright little figure, shining white teeth, and bright, dark eyes, she was at this time a perfect model of what a healthy little negro girl ought to be.

The Missus grew quite fond of Angelina. She was so smiling and quiet, and her two knocks, and gentle "Marning, Missus!" made a pleasant little prelude to the long, hot days.

If occasionally the cowman "had