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He knew that he often neglected to chat with them now, and he made an effort to say something that might restore the old feeling of comradeship. "Have you had a hard day with the new gravel walk?" he asked Hasty, remembering that he had been laying a fresh path to the Sunday-school-room.
A new purpose had come into his life, the realisation of a new necessity, and he knew that the fight which he must henceforth make for this child was the same that he must make for himself. "I'se goin' into de Sunday-school-room to take off dat ere widow's finishin' touches," said Mandy, as she came down the steps. "All right!" called Douglas. "Take these with you, perhaps they may help."
They had not gone for their walk to-day, because Mandy had needed Polly to help make ready for the social to be held in the Sunday-school-room to-night.
She don' care no more 'bout dem things since her Uncle Toby done die. She done been satisfied right whar she am. Jes' you let her be." "I ain't done nothin'," Hasty protested. "Nebber do do nothin'," growled Mandy. "Go long now, and get a-work. Mos' four o'clock and dat Sunday-school-room ain't ready yet." Hasty picked up the empty box and the step-ladder and went out through the gate.
Jim forgot Hasty and every one in the world except Polly, and neither of them noticed the horrified Miss Perkins and the Widow Willoughby, who had been crossing the yard on their way from the Sunday-school-room with Julia. "You're just as big as ever," said Polly, when she could let go of Jim long enough to look at him. "You haven't changed a bit." "You've changed enough for both of us."
Guess she'll be mighty careful what she says afore Mandy to-night." She chuckled as she disappeared down the walk to the Sunday-school-room. Polly stood motionless where Mandy had left her. She hardly knew which way to turn. She was happy, yet afraid. She felt like sinking upon her knees and begging God to be good to her, to help her.
"I dare say the young man was very lonely very before she came." "Lonely?" snapped Miss Perkins. "Well, if HE was LONELY, I didn't know it." The deacon excused himself nervously, and went to join Strong. The women gathered up their buntings, and retired with bland smiles to the Sunday-school-room, feeling that they had accomplished enough for the time being.
"Nebber you mind 'bout Miss Polly. She don't want you. Jes' you done fetch that step-ladder into de Sunday-school-room." "But I wants her," Hasty insisted. "I'se been on very 'ticular business what she ought to know 'bout." "Business?" she repeated. "What kind ob business?" "I got to fix de Sunday-school-room," said Hasty, as he perceived her growing curiosity. "You come heah, nigger!"
"Mos' de sociable folks will mos' likely be hangin' roun' de parsonage to-night, 'stead ob stayin' in de Sunday-school-room, whar dey belongs. Las' time dat ere Widow Willoughby done set aroun' all ebenin' a-tellin' de parson as how folks could jes' eat off'n her kitchen floor, an' I ups an' tells her as how folks could pick up a good, squar' meal off'n MANDY'S floor, too.
She turned away and pretended to look at the flowers. "Don' yous tell Mandy I been talkin' 'bout dat circus," said Hasty, uneasily. He was beginning to fear that he had made a mistake; but before Polly could answer, Mandy came out of the house, carrying baskets and food, which Hasty was to take to the Sunday-school-room. She looked at the girl's troubled face and drooping shoulders in surprise.
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