"What's this?" Douglas took the small book from Mandy's awkward
fingers, and began to read: 'Hens set--' " He frowned.
"Oh, dem's jes' Miss Polly's 'don'ts,' " interrupted Mandy,
disgustedly.
"Her 'don'ts'?"
"She done been set--sit--settin' up nights tryin' to learn what
you done tole her," stuttered Mandy.
"Dear little Polly," he murmured, then closed the book and put it
into his pocket.
Chapter IX
DOUGLAS was turning toward the house when the Widow Willoughby
came through the wicker gate to the left of the parsonage,
carrying bunting for the social. She was followed by Miss
Perkins with a bucket of pickles, which Mandy promptly placed on
top of Mrs. Elverson's ice cream. The women explained that they
had come to put the finishing touches to the decorations. If
anything was needed to increase Mandy's dislike of the widow, it
was this announcement.
Mrs. Willoughby was greatly worried because her children had not
been home since the afternoon school session. Upon learning that
they were with Polly, she plainly showed her displeasure; and
Douglas dispatched Mandy for them. She saw that her implied
distrust of Polly had annoyed him, and she was about to
apologise, when two of the deacons arrived on the scene, also
carrying baskets and parcels for the social.
Pages:
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96