Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/152

148 In spite of the pleasure she took in the plentiful, wholesome food and Aunt Testy's wonderful cooking, Rebecca often longed for the one privilege of crackers and tea, curled up on the divan, while she read thrilling stories recommended by Daddy, and where the only formality was blowing the crumbs away.

Evelyn and Myra were not inclined to correct Rebecca in their father's presence, but they never forgot to point out the error of her ways when they were alone with her. For herself, the child made it a point to be left alone with them as seldom as possible. They highly disapproved of her intimacy with the colored persons on the farm, but Major Taylor vetoed their objections and openly declared that his granddaughter was to see as much of Aunt Pearly Gates as she desired, and he himself took her to the mill and put her in the especial care of old Si Johnson. There she spent many happy hours, listening to the splash of the mill wheel and the hum of the simple machinery, with Brer Johnson expounding the scriptures the while.

All of her frets and worries Rebecca took to Aunt Pearly Gates. And to every childish problem the old woman gave earnest attention, doing all in her power to help the little orphan over the rough places. A day never passed that