第12章

she ought to be grateful all her life--and yo'rs, too! Yo' think different now! But yo' needn't act up to it quite so much." She made a little deprecating gesture with her disengaged hand as if to ward off any retaliating gallantry."I ain't speaking for myself, co'nnle.Yo' and me are good enough friends.But the girls round here think yo' 're a trifle too much taken up with rice and niggers.And looking at it even in yo'r light, co'nnle, it ain't BUSINESS.Yo' want to keep straight with Major Reed, so it would be just as well to square the major's woman folks.Tavy and Gussie Reed ain't exactly poisonous, co'nnle, and yo' might see one or the other home from church next Sunday.The Sunday after that, just to show yo' ain't particular, and that yo' go in for being a regular beau, yo' might walk home with ME.Don't be frightened--I've got a better gown than this.It's a new one, just come home from Louisville, and I'll wear it for the occasion."He did not dare to say that the quaint frock she was then wearing--a plain "checked" household gingham used for children's pinafores, with its ribbons of the same pattern, gathered in bows at the smart apron pockets--had become a part of her beauty, for he was already hopelessly conscious that she was lovely in anything, and he might be impelled to say so.He thanked her gravely and earnestly, but without gallantry or effusion, and had the satisfaction of seeing the mischief in her eyes increase in proportion to his seriousness, and heard her say with affected concern: "Bear up, co'nnle! Don't let it worry yo' till the time comes," and took his leave.

On the following Sunday he was present at the Redlands Episcopal Church, and after the service stood with outward composure but some inward chafing among the gallant youth who, after the local fashion, had ranged themselves outside the doors of the building.

He was somewhat surprised to find Mr.Champney, evidently as much out of place as himself, but less self-contained, waiting in the crowd of expectant cavaliers.Although convinced that the young Englishman had come only to see Miss Sally, he was glad to share his awkward isolation with another stranger, and greeted him pleasantly.The Dows' pew, being nearer to the entrance than the Reeds', gave up its occupants first.Colonel Courtland lifted his hat to Miss Miranda and her niece at the same moment that Champney moved forward and ranged himself beside them.Miss Sally, catching Courtland's eye, showed the whites of her own in a backward glance of mischievous significance to indicate the following Reeds.When they approached, Courtland joined them, and finding himself beside Miss Octavia entered into conversation.Apparently the suppressed passion and sardonic melancholy of that dark-eyed young lady spurred him to a lighter, gayer humor even in proportion as Miss Sally's good-natured levity and sunny practicality always made him serious.They presently fell to the rear with other couples, and were soon quite alone.

A little haughty, but tall and erect in her well-preserved black grenadine dress, which gave her the appearance of a youthful but implacable widow, Miss Reed declared she had not seen the co'nnle for "a coon's age," and certainly had not expected to have the honor of his company as long as there were niggers to be elevated or painted to look like white men.She hoped that he and paw and Sally Dows were happy! They hadn't yet got so far as to put up a nigger preacher in the place of Mr.Symes, their rector, but she understood that there was some talk of running Hannibal Johnson--Miss Dows' coachman--for county judge next year! No! she had not heard that the co'nnle HIMSELF had thought of running for the office! He might laugh at her as much as he liked--he seemed to be in better spirits than when she first saw him--only she would like to know if it was "No'th'n style" to laugh coming home from church?

Of course if it WAS she would have to adopt it with the Fourteenth Amendment.But, just now, she noticed the folks were staring at them, and Miss Sally Dows had turned round to look.Nevertheless, Miss Octavia's sallow cheek nearest the colonel--the sunny side--had taken a faint brunette's flush, and the corners of her proud mouth were slightly lifted.

"But, candidly, Miss Reed, don't you think that you would prefer to have old Hannibal, whom you know, as county judge, than a stranger and a Northern man like ME?"Miss Reed's dark eyes glanced sideways at the handsome face and elegant figure beside her.Something like a saucy smile struggled to her thin lips.