Arranging the pillows more to her taste she settled herself comfortably among them. She was tired, and presently a delicious drowsiness stole over her, and soon she was fast asleep.
"Kum down ter dinnah, child," Aunt Fanny roused her by saying. "I'se called, an' called, an' yer didn't answah; so I kum up. Whar's Miss Bee? You-all's kept dinnah waitin' twel hit am plum dahk. Whar'd you say Miss Bee was?"
"I don't—" Adele looked about her dreamily. "Oh!" as remembrance came to her. She sprang up in a hurry. "Yes; I do. Is Uncle William here?"
"Yes'm; he's heah." Aunt Fanny was plainly provoked that dinner had been kept waiting. "He's heah, but he won't set down twel you gals is dere."
For a wonder Adele did not stop to rearrange her hair, but ran down as she was.
"Where is Beatrice?" asked Doctor Raymond, a slight expression of surprise showing itself in his glance. His niece did not usually appear in such a disordered condition. "Aunt Fanny could not find her, and said that you were fast asleep in your room. What have you been doing?"
"We went to Rachel's," replied Adele, "and, and—"
"Yes?" remarked he questioningly.
"And she has the small pox. Or, at least," correcting herself hastily, "there was the sign of small pox on the door."
"Is that true, Adele?" Doctor Raymond looked at her searchingly. "Or is that an excuse invented for not going in?"