that expected me to set down tame and quiet under such cruelty and
onjestice; I hate and curse and defy the Power that hated and spited
me enough, atter darkening the light of my life, to put out the
sight of my eyes! Now,' she says, 'you lay claim to being mighty
familiar with the Lord; take that message to Him!' she says.

"Women, that whole funeral meeting kotch its breath at them awful
words, and sot there rooted and grounded; and she turnt and looked
around defiant-like with them sightless eyes, and strode off down
the hill, John and Marthy follering."

[Illustration: "Aunt Dalmanuthy riz up sudden, and clinched her
hands"]

After a somewhat protracted silence, Marthy's gentle voice resumed:

"And from that day to this John and me hain't left her sence. We
shet up our house and moved down to hern; and she tuck to setting by
the fire or out on the porch, allus a-knitting, and seldom speaking
a word in all them years about Evy or her sorrow or her curse. When
my first little gal come along, I named it Evy, thinking to give her
some easement or pleasure; but small notice has she ever showed.
'Pears like my young uns don't do much but bother her, her hearing
and scent being so powerful' keen. I have allus allowed if she
could git her feelings turnt loose one time, and bile over good and
strong, it might benefit her; but thar she sets, day in, day out,
proud and restless, a-bottling it all up inside."

"She biles over a right smart on you, Marthy, I should say,"
remarked the hostess.