"
"What, are you back so soon? Why, you ain't been gone more
than a month and a half, have you?"
Beware, daughter of Southern pride! The little Yankee is
regarding your full-blown curves and empty eyes with rebellion,
though he says, ever so meekly:
"Yes, I guess it is about that, Miss Theresa."
"Well, I just knew you couldn't stand it away from us.
I suppose you'll want your room back. Ma, here's Mr. Wrenn
back again--Mr. Wrenn! _Ma!_"
"Oh-h-h-h!" sounded Goaty Zapp's voice, in impish
disdain, below. "Mr. Wrenn's back. Hee, hee! Couldn't
stand it. Ain't that like a Yankee!"
A slap, a wail, then Mrs. Zapp's elephantine slowness
on the stairs from the basement. She appeared, buttoning
her collar, smiling almost pleasantly, for she disliked
Mr. Wrenn less than she did any other of her lodgers.
"Back already, Mist' Wrenn? Ah declare, Ah was
saying to Lee Theresa just yest'day, Ah just knew you'd
be wishing you was back with us. Won't you come in?"
He edged into the parlor with, "How is the sciatica, Mrs.
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