She had often said in class-meeting that temptations abounded on every hand, and as soon as Julia told her she had a communication to make, Cynthy Ann was sure that she would find in it some temptation of the devil to do something she "hadn't orter do," according to the Bible or the Dis_cip_line, strictly construed.
And Cynthy was a "strict constructionist." Julia did not find it so easy to say anything now that she had announced herself as determined to have a conversation and now that her auditor was waiting.

It is the worst beginning in the world for a conversation, saying that you intend to converse.

When an Indian has announced his intention of having a "big talk," he immediately lights his pipe and relapses into silence until the big talk shall break out accidentally and naturally.

But Julia, having neither the pipe nor the Indian's stolidity, found herself under the necessity of beginning abruptly.
Every minute of delay made her position worse.

For every minute increased her doubt of Cynthy Ann's sympathy.
"O Cynthy Ann! I'm so miserable!" "Yes, I told your ma this morning that you was looking mis'able, and that you had orter have sassafras to purify the blood, but your ma is so took up with steam-docterin' that she don't believe in nothin' but corn-sweats and such like." "Oh! but, Cynthy, it a'n't that.