“I was clearing up.”
“That’s good. I guess the place needed it,” sighed her aunt. “I warn’t half through straightenin’ things in the kitchen. I thought I heard you talkin’.”
“Heard me?”
“Probably ’twas a notion. My head kinder buzzes.” Then she suddenly turned suspiciously on the girl, adding sharply:
“You ain’t been over to the Howes’?”
“No.”
“That’s right. An’ don’t you go, neither. We don’t need no help from them.”
A pause followed.
“Did you want me for something?” Lucy at last inquired, after waiting for her aunt to speak.
“Yes, I did.”