“Den when Mass’r Richard gits one of dem letters, he sits so quiet-like, thinking and smiling to himself, and ef you speak to him, he answers you kind ob far-away, and gentle. I done tried him often. But he didn’t look like dat at all when he git de letter dis morning. Mass’r Richard got powerful high temper, Miss Phill.”
“Then take care and not anger him, Harriet.”
“You see, when I bring in de letter, I bring in wid me some fresh myrtles and de tube roses for de vases, and as I put dem in, and fixed up de chimley-piece, I noticed Mass’r Richard through de looking-glass—and he bit his lips, and he drew his brows together, and he crush’d de letter up in his hand.”
“Harriet, you have no right to watch your master. It is a very mean thing to do.”
“Me watch Mass’r Richard! Now, Miss Phill, I’se none ob dat kind! But I kaint shut my eyes, ‘specially when I’se ‘tending to de flower vases.”
“You could have left the vases just at that time.”
“No, Miss Phill, I’se very partic’lar ‘bout de vases. Dey has to be tended to. You done told me ober and ober to hab a time for ebery thing, and de time for de vases was jist den.”
“Then, the next time you see Master Richard through the glass, tell him so, Harriet; that is only fair, you know.”
“Go ‘way, Miss Phill! I’se got more sense dan tell Mass’r Richard any sich thing.”
Phyllis did not answer; she was thinking of a decision she might be compelled to make, and the question was one which touched her very nearly on very opposite sides. She loved her brother with all her heart. Their lives had been spent together, for Phyllis had been left to his guardianship when very young, and had learned to give him an affection which had something in it of the clinging reliance of the child, as well as of the proud regard of the sister. But John Millard she loved, as women love but once. He was related by marriage to the Fontaines, and had, when Phyllis and Richard were children, spent much of his time at the Fontaine place.