Page:Scarlet Sister Mary (1928).pdf/305



spent most of the day lying on the bed except when she heard footsteps on the path in front of the door, then she got up quickly and pretended to be patching clothes.

When she heard Maum Hannah's limping steps across the yard, she went to help her up the steps, for the misery in the old woman's knee seemed worse than usual.

"How-come you duh hop so bad to-day, Auntie, de sun is a-shinin fair."

"Worry-ation, honey. Worry-ation makes a misery worse dan east rain an' wind. But how-come you eyes is red as red flannel?"

Mary hesitated. She had to think quickly or tell the truth. "I been a-thrashin peas an' peas-dust got in my eyes. It like to blinded me."

"Poor creeter," Maum Hannah pitied her. "I didn' know peas-dust was pizen."

They lighted their pipes and sat down to talk, yet the silence stayed on, hard to break. Presently Maum Hannah cleared her throat.

"July told me you wouldn' much as let him darken you door."