CHAPTER XVI
Serena and Daniel were together in the parlor. It was past dinner time, but Azuba, for some reason or other, had not gotten dinner ready. This was unusual for, if there was one thing upon which the housekeeper prided herself, it was in being “prompt at meal times.” She was setting the table now, however, and they could hear her rattling the knives and forks and singing, actually singing.
“Azuba is in good spirits, isn't she,” observed Serena. “I haven't heard her sing before for a long time. I suppose, like the rest of us, she has been too troubled to sing.”
Captain Dan listened to the singing, shook his head, and remarked whimsically, “There's some comfort to be got out of trouble, then. Say, the 'Sweet By and By' would turn sour if it could hear her sing about it, wouldn't it?”
“Hush, Daniel, don't be irreverent. Why don't you light the lamp, or let me light it? It's getting so dark I can hardly see you.”
“Never mind; let's sit in the dark a spell. Gertie comin' down pretty soon, is she?”
“Yes. She's changing her dress, because you asked her to. Why did you ask her? Why should she dress up just for you and me?”
“Oh, just a notion of mine. I like that red dress of hers, anyway; the one with the fringe trimmin's along the upper riggin'.”
“That dress isn't red, it's pink.”
“I don't care. I thought 'twas about the color of my nose, and if that's pink then I'm losin' my complexion.”