"Well, I never met him before, and have only heard a little about him from cousin Sophy, and that not in his favor. He has a strong, intelligent face though, and a very resolute look in his eyes."
"Yes," admitted Mara coldly, "I reckon he's one who would have his own way without much regard for others."
"He may slip up for once. Miss Ainsley struck me as a girl who would have her way, no matter how many hearts she fractured."
Aun' Sheba and Vilet now entered, diverting Ella's thoughts. The old woman sat down rather wearily, a look of deep dejection on her face.
"Look here, Aun' Sheba," said the lively girl, "you're not well, or else something is troubling you. You looked down-hearted yesterday, and you look funereal now."
"We'se been sot on," said Aun' Sheba solemnly.
"'Sot on!' good gracious! Aun' Sheba, what do you mean?"
"Well, dey sot on my ole man, an' husband an' wife am me. Hit didn't turn out bad as I s'posed it would, bress tat ar son-in-law ob mine, but I keeps a tinkin' it all ober, an' I'se 'jected, I is; an' dar's no use ob shoutin' glory wen you doan feel glory." Then she told the whole story, which kept Ella on pins and needles, for, while she felt an honest sympathy for the poor soul, she had an almost uncontrollable desire to laugh.
"Yes, Missy Mara," concluded Aun' Sheba pathetically, "I'se s'pended, I s'pended myself, an' I'se gwine to stay s'pended till I feels mo' shuah."
"Suspended, Aun' Sheba!" said Mara, starting, suddenly becoming conscious of present surroundings.