Page:The strength of Gideon, and other stories (IA strengthgideon00dunbrich).pdf/59

MAMMY PEGGY'S PRIDE 45 never have confessed to himself before that he was a coward. But that morning when he got her note, he felt that he could not face her just yet, and commending his father to the tender mercies of Mammy Peggy and the servants, he took the first train to the north.

It would be hard to say which of the two was the most disappointed when the truth was known, It might better be said which of the three, for Mima went no more to the house, and the elder Northcope fretted and was restless without her. He availed himself of an invalid’s privilege to be disagreeable, and nothing Mammy Peggy could do now would satisfy him. Indeed, between the two, the old woman had a hard time of it, for Mima was tearful and morose, and would not speak to her except to blame her. As the days went on she wished to all the powers that she had left the Harrison pride in the keep- ing of the direct members of the family. It had proven a dangerous thing in her hands.

Mammy soliloquized when she was about her work in the kitchen. ‘‘Men ain’ whut dey used to be,” she said, ‘‘who'd ’a’ t’ought o' de young man a runnin’ off dat away jes’ ‘cause a ooman tol’ him no. He orter had sense enough to know