The hour that ensued after Joshua's departure was so long that it resulted
in a nap for the invalid, and Lucinda had to wake her by slamming the
closet door when the arrival turned in at the gate.
"Has he got her?" Aunt Mary cried breathlessly. "Has he got someone with
him? Run, Lucinda, an' bring her in. She needn't wipe her feet, tell her;
you can brush the hall afterwards. Well, why ain't you hurryin'?"
Lucinda was hurrying, her curiosity being as potent as the commands of her
mistress, and five seconds later Janice appeared in the door with her
predecessor just behind her--a striking contrast.
"You dear blessed Granite!" cried the old lady, stretching out her hands
in a sort of ecstasy. "Oh, my! but I'm glad to see you! Come right
straight here. No, shut the door first. Lucinda, you go and do 'most
anything. An' how is the city?"
Janice came to the bedside and dropped on her knees there, taking Aunt
Mary's withered hand close in both of her own.
"You didn't shut the door," the old lady whispered hoarsely. "I wish you
would--an' bolt it, too. An' then come straight back to me."
Janice closed and bolted the door, and returned to the bedside. Aunt Mary
drew her down close to her, and her voice and eyes were hungry, indeed.
For a little she looked eagerly upon what she had so craved to possess
again, and then she suddenly asked:
"Granite, have you got any cigarettes with you?"
The maid started a little.
"Do you smoke now?" she asked, with interest.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222