Page:Orange Grove.djvu/176

 There came one of those uncomfortable, chilly mornings, accompanied by a drizzling rain, when it seems as if the earth, half repenting herself of the blessings she is about to confer on an expectant world, sullenly retires behind a cloud to evade the sun's quickening rays. A plan that had been laid out for that day's work, requiring fair weather, was consequently defeated, so that it was comparatively a day of leisure, and Kate must have her fun. As she was clearing away the breakfast, singing a snatch of a love song, she said abruptly, "Come Aunt Polly, tell us some o' your experience in courtin', I love to hear old maids tell over their love stories." Her eyes darted fire as she retorted, "Don't you know no better n' to insult me in that way, and I a cousin of the Governor?"

Kate replied in her usual merry tone, "Oh Aunt Polly, don't be so snappish, may be the Governor 'll come to see you to-day, nothin' strange, and you'll want to be in a pretty good mood. Wish I was cousin to the Governor, I'd make him give me a good fat office, an' I'd fare like a pig in the clover."

She had a great passion for stuffed figures. Having among her possessions an old mask, a hideous looking thing, which she fitted to quite an imposing looking figure, shaped of various articles, pillows and bed-clothing collected from the attic, duly attired, she placed it in the dining-room, and told Aunt Polly a gentleman wished to see her.

"Who can it be," said she, "may be 'tis the Governor. I allers kind o' thought he'd be lookin' of me