Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/159

Rh Peachy, who was never satisfied unless she was included in everything. "Is that there the pretty lil' missy? Laws-a-mussy, but I'd be proud ter own one er these here tintypes."

"Would you, really?" asked Rebecca. "If Jo gives me two I will give you one of them. That is, if he will print me another for Aunt Pearly Gates. There is nobody else who would care much for a picture of me, nobody in Virginia, at least."

"Thank yer! Thank yer!" muttered the old woman, clutching the little print eagerly and poring over it with half-closed eyes. "I'll keep good keer of it, never fear."

"Well, don't try any hoodoo monkey shines with it," commanded Jo.

"Me! Laws-a-mussy, lil' Jo, you done fergit I's a chu'ch mimber in good standin'. I ain't up ter no sich tricks."

"Well, how about that charm poultice, then?" parried Jo, with a grin.

"I wa' jes' a foolin' 'bout that. My poultices air jes' made er good fresh yarbs. I gonter git a frame fer this here tintype."

The old woman clasped the picture tightly and glided from the kitchen, leering at Rebecca as she went.

"Isn't she a funny old thing" Rebecca said