"Not a bit of it. You wanted to know, an' you come and asked, that's all."
"I hope you'll git along all right with the child."
"I sha' n't stop at hopin'. I shall take the matter to the Lord in prayer."
"Yes, He knows best. Good-bye, Miss Hester."
"Good-bye, Sallie; come in ag'in." The invitation sounded a little bit sarcastic, and once more the grim smile played about Miss Prime's mouth.
"I 'low," she observed to herself, as she took the cake from the oven for the last time, tried it, and set it on the table,—"I 'low that I did give Sallie Martin one turn. I never did see sich a woman fur pryin' into other folks' business."
Swift are the wings of gossip, and swift were the feet of Mrs. Sallie Martin as she hurried back to tell the news to her impatient friend, who listened speechless with enjoyment and astonishment.
"Who would 'a' thought you could 'a' talked it out o' her so?" she gasped.
"Oh, I led her right along tell she told me everything," said Mrs. Martin, with a complacency which, remembering her reception, she was far from feeling.
