Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/214

210 and obedience," continued Evelyn, "and getting to dinner in time is not much of a demand, surely, for us to make on one in—in your position."

"Certainly not!" chimed in Myra.

'You have succeeded in ruining what appearance you may have had," Evelyn kept on, in her sanctimonious drawl.

'Yes—I mean yes ma'm," Rebecca answered meekly. "It is too bad—I mean tow bad—I got so occupied—I did not know it was getting late—"

"You never see my sister or me late for a meal," Myra interrupted.

"Oh, hell! Why don't you women let the kid alone?" Spot broke out in a loud voice that made his sisters and Rebecca jump and Aunt Testy almost drop the apple dumpling she was bringing in from the kitchen. "Don't you want a gizzard, Rebecca?"

Rebecca could not speak for emotion, but she silently held out her plate for what seemed to her a sacred gizzard. This time her uncle looked at her squarely and searchingly. In the eyes of the child he saw an expression that reminded him vaguely of Doctor. It was one of trusting devotion.

As for Rebecca, she could gladly have stood