"Not I; she's another of your proud set. I don't want to see anybody that thinks she's going to do me a great favour by coming."
Ellen's lips opened, but wisdom came in time to stop the words that were on her tongue. It did not, however, prevent the quick little turn of her head, which showed what she thought, and the pale cheeks were for a moment bright enough.
"She is, and I don't care who hears it," repeated Miss Fortune. "I suppose she'd look as sober as a judge, too, if she saw cider on the table; they say she won't touch a drop ever, and thinks it's wicked; and if that ain't setting one's self up for better than other folks, I don't know what is."
"I saw her paring apples at the Huffs', though," said Mr. Van Brunt, "and as pleasant as anybody; but she didn't stay to supper."
"I'd ask Mrs. Vawse, if I could get word to her," said Miss Fortune; "but I can never travel up that mountain. If I get a sight of Nancy, I'll tell her."
"There she is, then," said Mr. Van Brunt, looking towards the little window that opened into the shed. And there, indeed, was the face of Miss Nancy pressed flat against the glass, peering into the room! Miss Fortune beckoned to her.
"That is the most impudent, shameless, outrageous piece of .
What were you doing at the window?" said she as Nancy came in.
"Looking at you, Miss Fortune," said Nancy coolly. "What have you been talking about, this great while? If there had only been a pane of glass broken, I needn't have asked."
"Hold your tongue," said Miss Fortune, "and listen to me."
"I'll listen, Maam," said Nancy; "but it's no use to hold my tongue. I do try sometimes, but I never could keep it long."