"I was so preoccupied in thinking of your aunt as the business manager of these estates that I quite forget that she might have a lady's hours for receiving." "We haven't got any company hours," said Miss Sally, "and we haven't just now any servants for company manners, for we're short-handed in the fields and barns.

When yo' came I was nailing up the laths for the vines outside, because we couldn't spare carpenters from the factory.

But," she added, with a faint accession of mischief in her voice, "yo' came to talk about the fahm ?" "Yes," said Courtland, rising, "but not to interrupt the work on it.
Will you let me help you nail up the laths on the wall?
I have some experience that way, and we can talk as we work.

Do oblige me!" The young girl looked at him brightly.
"Well, now, there's nothing mean about THAT.

Yo' mean it for sure ?" "Perfectly.