Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/219

Rh "What I mind most is Doctor and Uncle Spot—just when I thought I had them liking me a little."

"Lawd love you, honey chil', that ain't nothin' ter be a worryin' yo' po' haid about. Doctor air a peculiar animule, jes' lak some men folks. He air gonter be runnin' arfter you, come night time, jes' so you don't 'pear too anxious lak. You jes' go by him with yo' nose up in the air an' he'll be breakin' his neck ter ketch up with you."

"But Uncle Spot!"

"He don't worry me none. I been layin' up here seein' too many springs a-comin' ter be botherin' my haid about po' Marse Spot. He done showed he got a sof spot an' the winter in he heart air a-breakin' up. He mought freeze up off 'n on agin, but the spring sunshine air sho' ter thaw him out agin. Marse Spot's redemption air as sho' as springtime."

Aunt Pearly Gates stopped knitting for a moment and looked keenly at the girl. "I got a s'prise fer you, honey chil'," she said, with a mysterious smile.

"Oh, that's nice!" answered Rebecca, politely. It would take a wonderful surprise indeed to lighten the gloom that enveloped her soul.

"’Tain't no common s'prise, an' it's been