Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/281

Rh how the children used to call me a picanniny when I was little. Wasn't it curious? I suppose it's my horrid, horrid hair. May be that was the reason why I grew to hate the negroes even more than most Americans do—even the black nurse I had. I remember dreading the sight of her; but Lucy always loved her and her people. I suppose Lucy got her love of finery and colour from that old woman. She was always dressing the child up."

Mrs. Allison turned away.

"I'm very weary," she said, "and suffering. I will lie down and try to sleep." Virginia led her to her room with great tenderness.

The party returned in the twilight, full of bright spirits, though weary after much rambling in the wood. Lucy had evidently made a conquest of Washington Gibbs; he was by her side all the evening. Once Virginia passed them as they stood upon the verandah by themselves. She noticed the sudden way that the man drew back when he saw her. "He was holding her hand," she thought indignantly, "or going to." "Lucy is out there," she said to George, when she met him. "I think she