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 finished, they will be in from the barn," said her mother, leading the way into the dining-room.

"I ate supper at Middleburg but will ask Margaret to get me some crullers," and she darted past Mrs. De Vere into the kitchen, shouting, "Hello, Margaret!"

"Law me, Honey, how you do skeer a body!" exclaimed the latter. "I sholy is glad to see yo'," and she produced the crullers with the ever-ready coffeepot.

"How do you like Dora, Margaret?"

"She's just lubly. No po' w'ite trash."

"And the children? I'm aunty, you know," with pride.

"De bressed angels!"

"And Jack looks like a cowboy, I fancy."

"Law me, Honey—he's bigger'n yo' pa"—here her voice became full of awe—"Massa Hernando, he do look jes' like St. John."

Eletheer finished her lunch in silence and then, throwing a shawl over her head, started for the barn, where she found them mending a harness.