It thus happened that there was no opportunity for the resumption of the interesting conversation interrupted by Dick, until the middle of the forenoon next day. Miss Sudie, it seems, found it necessary to go into the garden to inspect some late horticultural operations, and Mr. Robert, quite accidentally, followed her. They discussed matters with Uncle Joe, the gardener, for a time, and then wandered off toward a summer-house, where it was pleasant to sit in the soft November sunlight.
The conversation which followed was an interesting one, of course. Let us listen to it.
"The vines are all killed by the frost," said Cousin Sudie.
"Yes; you have frosts here earlier than I thought," said Robert.
"O we always expect frost about the tenth of October; at least the gentlemen never feel safe if their tobacco isn't cut by that time. This year frost was late for us, but the nights are getting very cool now, a'n't they?"
"Yes; I found blankets very comfortable even before the tenth of October."
"It's lucky then that you wa'n't staying with Aunt Polly Barksdale."
"Why? and who is your Aunt Polly?"
"Aunt Polly? Why she is Uncle Charles's widow. She is the model for the whole connection; and I've had her held up to me as a pattern ever since I can remember, but I never saw her till about a year ago, when she came and staid a week or two with us; and between ourselves I think she is the most disagreeably good person I ever saw. She is good, but somehow she makes me wicked, and I don't think I'm naturally so. I didn't read my Bible once while she staid, and I do love to read it. I suppose I shall like to have her with me in heaven, if I get there, because there I won't have anything for her to help me about, but here 'I'm better midout' her."
"I quite understand your feeling; but you haven't told me why I'm lucky not to have her for my hostess these cold nights."