"’Tain’t in natur," said she, "that she should stay long. Allus was peart
like and forrud, and now has been ridin’ in the railroad all over the
airth, and hain’t got lost nuther, besides a-sailin’ along in the steam
engine over the salt water."

It was indeed marvelous how much Fanny had seen, and when she came to tell
the wonder-stricken negroes of the cataract of Niagara, their amazement
knew no bounds. Our friend Bobaway did not fail to ease himself by a round
of somersaults, his usual manner of expressing surprise or pleasure. At
the same time he whispered to Lucy that "He’s mistaken if Miss Fanny wan’t
tellin’ ’em a stretcher this time," for which declaration Lucy rewarded
him with a smart box on the ear, saying, "Is you no better manners than to
’cuse white folks of lyin’? Miss Fanny never’d got as well as she is if
she’s picked up a mess of lies to tell us."

Fanny’s health was indeed much improved, and for a day or two after her
return home, she bounded about the house and grounds as lightly and
merrily as she had done in childhood. Mr. Middleton noticed the change and
was delighted. "I b’lieve she’s forgettin’ that paltry doctor," said he,
but he was wrong.

The third day after her return she was sitting with her parents, relating
to them an account of her journey, when Ike entered the room. He had been
sent to the post office and now came up to Fanny, saying, "Here, I done
got this air," at the same time handing her a letter, which she instantly
saw was from her sister. Eagerly taking it, she said, "A letter from
Julia. I am delighted. It is a long time since I have heard from her."
Then quickly breaking the seal, she commenced reading it.

Gradually as she read there stole over her face a strange expression. It