Page:Saxe Holm's Stories, Series Two.djvu/94

84 well that way, an it don't make much difference they turn 'em right over an' flop down, and there they sit 's long 's they please, 'n when I say, 'These chairs is for sale,' they say, 'Oh, I don't want to buy, I only want to rest a while,' 'n' I do declare I 'm so mad sometimes I tell Eben he 'd better take the chairs home before they 're all worn out. There 's some on 'em now that looks just like second-hand. I fixed some folks yesterday, though," and she gave a hearty peal of unrestrained laughter at the thought: "they come along, a whole party—three on 'em, a man and two women, 'n' down they sot without so much 's a word; 'n' I steps forward 'n' sez I, 'We charge for these chairs bein' sot in, a cent a minnit!' You 'd better believe they jumped up 's quick 's if the chairs had been red hot, and one o the wimmin she said, 'Well, I never!' 'n' sez I, 'Well I never, nuther,' 'n' I laughed an I laughed till I thought I should ha' died to see 'em goin' off 's mad 's if the chairs had been theirn 'n' not mine."

John watched Fanny Lane s face during the whole of this long speech, which she could not have failed to hear. He had come slowly nearer and nearer until he stood within a few feet of her chair, but so much behind her that she could not see his face unless she turned her head. Various shades of amusement and sympathy flitted over her expressive face as she listened to good Mrs. Cross's troubles; but she was evidently now absorbed in watching the