Page:Scarlet Sister Mary (1928).pdf/86

 that Cinder's hand was as hot as fever, so she said as kindly as she could, "Come set down whe de air is cool here by de window, an' tell me how you do an' whe you been." Mary tried her best to sound pleased and cordial as she placed the chair beside the window.

Cinder sat down carefully, spreading out the fine rustling cloth of her black silk skirt. She was dressed in the finest of clothes. Gold was in her front teeth, and her cheeks were covered with a dust of white powder which made her look pale and strange. She was nervish too. Her hands acted tremblish and her face had a twist-mouth look.

Talk was hard to make. "How's July?" Cinder asked and Mary answered. "July's well," then a silence lay heavy between them again.

"You is mighty dressed up and it a Friday." Cinder smoothed out her skirts again.

Mary answered as politely as she could that the rooster had flapped his wings and crowed three times at the door, so she knew somebody was coming. She had changed her clothes to look decent to meet her visitor.

A sudden gust of wind came down the chimney and blew ashes over the hearth and a smell of food rose in the room. Cinder sniffed and gave a short laugh.