“Don’t you like your aunt?”
“Not altogether.”
The audacity of the reply appealed to the older woman, and her eyes twinkled. “Not altogether, eh?” she echoed. “Now I’m sorry to hear that because I like you very much.”
Lucy smiled. It was a radiant smile, disclosing prettily formed white teeth and a lurking dimple.
“That’s nice.”
“But you ain’t a-goin’ to return the compliment?”
“Not yet.”
It was long since Ellen had been so highly entertained.
“Well,” she observed with undiminished amusement, “I’ve evidently got to be on my good behavior if I want to keep such an independent young lady as you in the house.” 44
“Why shouldn’t I be independent?”