“We ’as our feelings even if we ain’t ladies,” was Phoebe’s somewhat sharp retort.
“Dear, dear Phoebe, I know you have; but tell me more about her. What happened just immediately afterwards, before she began to be cross to the little brothers?”
“Well, miss, there was the funeral and the funeral feast.”
“A feast!” interrupted Nan.
“In the country, miss, and amongst us we always take the occasion to have a big and hearty meal; but that ain’t interesting to you.”
“I could not eat—not now that mother is dead.”
“Well, miss, that was in the country; it is different there—grief makes us hungry. And she had her mourning to get.”
“Her mourning! What is that?”
“Black, miss—black from head to foot—and crape. She went into debt for the crape.”
“Did she? What is crape?”