"'Do, Dinah,'" she said, with her sweet mouth close to Dinah's ear, 'do stop bein' so triflin', and stir yo'self to be some help in the house.'
"'No,' says Dinah, 'I like better to lay in the buttercups and look at pictur's,' says she.
"'Then,' says Love, 'show Mose the pictur's, too, and make him happy.'
"'No,' says Dinah, 'he's too little, an' he bothers me an' tears my book.'
"'Then,' says Love, 'yo'd rather yo' tired daddy took care o' the chile after his hard day's work.'
"'Now yo're talkin',' says Dinah. 'I shorely would. My daddy's strong.'
"The tears came into Love's eyes, she felt so down-hearted. 'Yo' daddy needs comfort, Dinah,' she says, 'an' yo're big enough to give it to him,' says she; 'an' look at the black smooches on my w'ite gown. They're all because o' you, Dinah, that I've been friends with so faithful. I've got to leave you now, far enough so's my gown'll come w'ite; but if you call me I'll hear, honey, an' I'll come. Good-by,'
"'Good riddance!' says Dinah. 'I'm right down tired o' bein' lectured,' says she. 'Now I can roll over in the buttercups an' sing, an' be happy an' do jest as I please.'
"So Dinah threw herself down in the long grass and, bing! she fell right atop of a wasp, and he was so scared at such capers he stung her in the cheek. Whew! You could hear her 'way 'cross the cotton field!
"Her ole gran'mam comforted her, the good soul. 'Never you mind, honey,' she says, 'I'll swaje it fer you.'