Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/147

Rh "Isn't it? You see I'm in mourning for my dear, latest and best stepfather. But I don't think it would be disrespectful for me to decorate all over with buttercups. It would be kind of like putting flowers on Daddy's grave."

Rebecca fashioned chains of daisies, which she hung around her neck and waist. Buttercups she put in buttonholes and belt.

"Now! Ho, for Aunt Pearly Gates!" she cried. "Isn't it funny how depressing mourning is? Now I am furbished up a bit with some color I feel like dancing."

She pirouetted in front of Jo until he was dizzy. "If you'd a done that to the old ram he'd a scooted for sure," laughed the boy.

They found Aunt Pearly Gates expecting them.

"I 'lowed you'd be a comin' along sometime ter-day ter tell me all 'bout Mr. Philip's a comin' home an' what he brung you from up yonder," she said to Jo, "an' I wa' mos' confident that lil' Miss Beck baby'd be findin' her way down ter old Pearly Gates as soon as she could git rested up. New Testament come down here las' night a tellin' me all about you arrivin' up ter Mill House. I say: Praise the Lawd! It's one great day fer the fambly that 'brings a chil' er Marse Tom's ter light."