Her mother could only hear the voice, which was dry and commonplace enough.
Julia thought she detected something peculiar in Cynthy's manner.

She would as soon have thought of the big oak gate-posts with their round ball-like heads telegraphing her in a sly way, as to have suspected any such craft on the part of Cynthy Ann, who was a good, pious, simple-hearted, Methodist old maid, strict with herself, and censorious toward others.

But there stood Cynthy making some sort of gesture, which Julia took to mean that she was to go quick.

She did not dare to show any eagerness.

She laid down her work, and moved away listlessly.