Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/208

204 when he done fill up on cawn pone an' buttermilk not so long befo'," said Aunt Testy, coming into the dining room in time to hear Miss Evelyn's remark concerning the promptitude of the Taylors.

"Father used to be strict enough with us when we were children about being on time," said Myra. "I remember very well we were allowed no butter for breakfast unless we got in our seats before the last stroke of eight. But he seems to be simply possessed by this wretched child. What he sees in her I can't imagine—ugly, scrawny, little black thing!"

"He sees his own flesh an' blood in her—that's what Marse Bob sees! She ain't no po' kin, neither," exclaimed Aunt Testy, indignation in every curve of her comfortable person. She put the platter of fried chicken down in front of Spot and flounced out of the room. In a moment she was back bearing a tray of vegetables which she placed on the table without a word, but with ominous mutterings proceeding from her chest, like rumblings of thunder presaging a storm.

"Yonder she air now!" cried Aunt Testy, looking out of the window. "Jes' a-runnin' fer dear life—but Gawd he'p us if Doctor ain't a-runnin' arfter her. He's gone mad! I's sho'