It was a sage-hen.

Then the girl turned and walked towards him with as haughty a carriage as ever a society belle could boast.
"You were laughing at me," she said quietly.
It had all happened so suddenly that the man had not time to think.
Several distinct sensations of surprise passed over his countenance.

Then, as the meaning of the girl's act dawned upon him, and the full intention of her rebuke, the color mounted in his nice, tanned face.

He set down the tin cup, and balanced the bit of corn bread on the rim, and arose.
"I beg your pardon," he said.

"I never will do it again.