Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/197

Rh he was at home he seemed worried and harassed, although his kindness and concern for Rebecca never flagged. The more his business harried him he more Major Taylor teased his son and daughters. They, in consequence, could barely conceal their satisfaction on the days in which the hub factory made it impossible for him to come home for dinner.

Those were sad days for Rebecca. Then the aunts corrected her to their hearts' content. It made no change in her uncle's manner, however. He still ignored her, as he did in his father's presence.

What Aunt Pearly Gates had said to Rebecca in regard to her relations with Mill House folks had made a deep impression on the little girl. She determined to try the old woman's kindly plan and endeavor to make herself more agreeable to them.

"First, I must decide what to talk about that will interest them, and I must be sure not to shock them. I must do all the things the aunts make a point of, and I mustn't do any of the things they don't like. As for Uncle Spot, I guess he'll be the hardest of all," she said to herself, as she walked slowly home from Aunt Pearly Gates' cabin, after her talk with her.

The farm bell at The Hedges tolled for the