"Yes."

"Last July?"

"Yes."

"And Sam drove the horses here for a bite?"

"I believe so."

"And them's your relations?"

"They are."

Miss Robinson reached over the cradle and enfolded the sleeping
infant in her powerful arms. Then she lifted her eyes, wrathful
through her still glittering tears, and said, slowly, "They don't--
have--this--child--then!"

"But why?"

"Oh, why? I saw them! That's why, and enough! You can't play any
such gay and festive skeletons on this poor baby for flesh and
blood parents. No, sir!"

"I think you judge them hastily, Miss Bessy," said North, secretly
amused; "my aunt may not, at first, favorably impress strangers,
yet she has many friends. But surely you do not object to my
cousin Maria, the young lady?"