"May I come in, Miss Redwood?—if you are not busy."
"Suppos'n I was busy, I guess you wouldn't do me no harm, child. Come right in and sit down, and tell me how's all goin' on at your house. How's your mother, fust thing?"
"Aunt Candy says she's not any better."
"What does your mother say herself?"
"I have not seen her to-day. Aunt Candy says she is nervous; and she wants me not to go into her room."
"Who wants you not to go in? Not your mother?"
"No; Aunt Candy."
"I thought so. Well; how do you get along without your sisters, eh? Have you got a girl, or are you goin' to do without?"
"We are going to do without."
"I don't see how you kin, with your mother sick and wantin' somebody to tend her."