"
"We have done nothing yet to call for so strong an expression of
gratitude, Eva," remarked her uncle in a lively tone.
In kitchen and dining-room at Fairview great preparations were going
forward; in the one a table was laid, with the finest satin damask,
glittering silver, cut-glass and china; in the other sounds and scents
told of a coming "feast of fat things."
"Clar to goodness! ef it ain't a pourin' down like de clouds was a
wantin' for to drownd Miss Elsie an' de rest!" exclaimed a young mulatto
girl, coming in from a back veranda, whence she had been taking an
observation of the weather; "an' its that dark, Aunt Kitty, yo' couldn't
see yo' hand afo' yo' face."
"Hope Uncle Cuff keep de road and don't upset de kerridge," returned Aunt
Kitty, the cook, opening her oven-door to glance at a fine young fowl
browning beautifully there, and sending forth a most savory smell.
"He'd larf at de wery idear of upsettin' dat vehicle, he would, kase he
tinks dar ain't nobody else knows de road ekal to hisself; but den 'taint
always de folks what makes de biggest boastin' dat kin do de best; am it
now, Lizzie?"
"No, I reckon 'taint, Aunt Kitty; but doan you be a prognosticatin' ob
evil and skearin' folks out deir wits fo' de fac's am 'stablished.
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