"You jest trust me to find things out without givin' myself away. I won't never let her know what I want right out, but I 'll talk it out o' her."
"What a woman you air, Sallie Martin!" said Mrs. Smith, admiringly. But do hurry back an' tell me what she says: I'm jest dyin' to know."
"I 'll be back in little or no time, because I can't stay, nohow."
Mrs. Martin threw the borrowed shawl over her head and set off down the street. She and her friend were not dwellers on the mean street, and so they could pretend to so nearly an equal social footing with Miss Prime as to admit of an occasional neighbourly call.
Through the window Miss Prime saw her visitor approaching, and a grim smile curved the corners of her mouth. "Comin' fur news," muttered the spinster. "She'll git all she wants before she goes." But there was no trace of suspicion in her manner as she opened the door at Mrs. Martin's rap.
"Hey oh, Miss Hester, busy as usual, I see."
"Yes, indeed. People that try to do their dooty 'ain't got much time fur rest in this world."
