“Hugh never swears,” and Mrs. Worthington spoke up at once.

“He don’t hey?  Maybe you’ve forgotten when he came home from Frankfort, that time he heard about my dress!”

“I know he swore then; but he never has since, I’m sure, and I think he is better, gentler, more refined than he used to be, since—­since—­Adah came.”

A contemptuous “Pshaw!” came from ’Lina’s lips.  “Say,” she continued, “wouldn’t you rather Adah were your child than me?  Then you’d be granny, you know.”  And a laugh came from ’Lina’s lips.

Mrs. Worthington did not reply; and ’Lina proceeded to speak of Alice Johnson, asking for her family.  Were they aristocratic?  Were they the F.F.V.’s of Boston? and so forth.

“Now let us talk a little about the thousand dollars.  What shall I do with it?” ’Lina said, for already the money was beginning to burn in her hands.

“Redeem Rocket with half of it,” Mrs. Worthington said, “and that will reconcile Hugh to Alice Johnson.”

“Do you think I’ve taken leave of my senses?” ’Lina asked, with unaffected surprise.  “Buy Rocket for five hundred dollars!  Indeed, I shall do no such thing.  If Hugh had not sworn so awfully, I might; but I remember what he said too well to part with half of my inheritance for him.  I’m going to Saratoga, and you are going, too.  We’ll have heaps of dresses, and—­oh, mother, won’t it be grand!  We’ll take Lu for a waiting maid.  That will be sure to make a sensation at the North.  I can imagine just how old Deacon Tripp of Elwood, would open his eyes when he heard ‘Mrs. Square Worthington and darter’ had come back with a ‘nigger.’  It would furnish him with material for half a dozen monthly concerts, and I’m not sure but he’d try to run her off, if he had a chance.  But Lu likes Hugh too well ever to be coaxed away; so we’re safe on that score.  ’Mrs. Worthington, daughter, and colored servant, Spring Bank, Kentucky.’  I can almost see that on the clerk’s books at the United States.  Then I can manage to let it be known that I’m an heiress, as I am.  We needn’t tell that it’s only a thousand dollars, most of which I have on my back, and maybe I’ll come home Adaline somebody else.  There are always splendid matches at Saratoga.  We’ll go North the middle of July, just three weeks from now.”

’Lina had talked so fast that Mrs. Worthington had been unable to put in a word; but it did not matter.  ’Lina was invulnerable to all she could say, and it was in vain that she pleaded for Rocket, or reminded the ungrateful girl of the many long, weary nights, when Hugh had sat by her bedside, holding her feverish hands and bathing her aching head.  This was very kind and brotherly, ’Lina admitted; but she steeled her heart against the still, small voice, which whispered to her:  “Redeem Rocket, and let Hugh find him here when he gets home.”