"You say dat Cally-Lou is settin' on de flo' by yo' side?" Lucindy asked, opening her eyes a little wider. "Den how come I can't see her?"
"Well," said Adelaide, turning her soft blue eyes on the negro woman, and speaking with what seemed to be perfect seriousness, "she isn't used to you yet, and then she has had such a bad day!"
Lucindy paused in her work and took a long look at the pretty face of the child. "I can't see her, honey, but dat ain't no reason she ain't dar whar you say she's at. Let 'lone dat, it's a mighty good reason why she is dar!"
After a little Adelaide went into the sitting-room, and there found her Uncle Jonas sitting in the twilight that came dimly through the windows. She crept to his side, and leaned her head with its long golden curls against his arm. She may have wondered why he failed to take her on his knee, but she said nothing, and he, being busy with some old, old thoughts that came back to him, was as silent as the fat china dog that sat peacefully by the fireplace.
Presently Lucindy came in to light the lamps, and saw the child standing by old Jonas. "Honey!" she exclaimed in a startled tone, "ain't you tired to death? Ain't yo' legs 'bout to give way fum under you? I bet you Cally-Lou done gone ter bed——"
"No," said Adelaide; "she's very tired, but she's standing up just like me." The next thing to happen was the entrance of Mr. Sanders, who seemed to bring the fresh breezes with him. He seized Adelaide in his arms, and carried her into the dining-room. When all were seated, Adelaide waited a moment, as though she was expecting something. Then she placed her little hands over her face, leaned her head nearly down upon the table, and said grace silently; and but for the audible amen, the men would never have guessed what she was doing.
"I hope you mentioned my name," said Mr. Sanders, with due solemnity.
The child paid no attention to the remark, nor did she even glance at any one at the table, until the genial guest turned to the host and made a polite inquiry. "Jonas, do you button these napkins on before or behind? I don't want to make any blunder if I can help it."
At this, Adelaide looked up and saw that Mr. Sanders was trying to tie a corner of the tablecloth around his neck. The sight was so unexpected that she gave forth a peal of the merriest laughter ever heard, and Lucindy gave a snort of discomfiture.
"I declar' ter gracious!" she exclaimed, "ef I ain't done gone and fergit de napkins!"