Sally, the old family servant who had lived all her days with the Talmage family at Happy Hills, had been a playmate of Miss Selina’s; in fact, she had grown up with all the children of the “big house.” She smiled indulgently at her mistress’ words, as she bent over a fresh piece of toast.
“Pore chile—Sally knows a heap of time is saved ’twixt ’lectricity an’ coal, an’ she’s goin’ to cleave to the bestes’ way ever foun’ yit—an’ she knows what dem old rheumaticks is a-doin’ to your temper,” soliloquized the astute servant.
The toast was nicely browned, and the tea brewed perfectly, and Sally placed them on a dainty tray which she carried over to the couch.
“Want I should leave you alone, or he’p you break the bread?” asked Sally, soothingly.
Miss Selina opened her eyes and answered, “If I were sure you had Miss Ruth’s room all ready, and everything else as it should be, I would let you pour that tea for me; but I suppose you have neglected half your work to be in here with me.”
Sally’s broad grin wrinkled the corners of her mouth, as she took the teapot and poured the fragrant beverage into a Japanese cup. At the same time her mind seemed to dwell upon a pleasant subject.
“Does you ’member, Miss S’lina, de las’ time little Rufie visited us? Dat’s de time she was all full of a plan for havin’ some kin’ of a bird’s nest at home. I wonder ef she ever did fix it up?”
Miss Selina forgot to find fault for a few moments, as Sally’s words caused her to remember the plan her grand-niece had talked over.
“Seems to me, her mother wrote something in a letter about a Blue Bird Nest they were going to start. But I haven’t the slightest idea what it is. I should think they would build nests for robins and birds who are plentiful in our country places. Blue Birds are not very numerous in our woods.”
“T’wan’t for real birds—don’ you recomember? It was jus’ de name dey was goin’ to use fer a li’l ’sociation like!” corrected Sally, as she held the plate of toast within reach of the invalid’s hand.