nconscious dignity of her figure,
as she stood there, seemed to dwarf her temporary mistress into
insignificance.

"You cyarn' say mus' to me," she said in a slow, repressed tone. "Dese
ain' no slave days, an ol' mis' cyarn' make 'em so. I ain' no heathen
an' I ain' no slave. My mammy bought herself an' her husban', an' we's
all freeborn."

She had moved forward a step or two, and thrown out her hand, while her
eyes gleamed with an angry luster. Suddenly she controlled herself.

"I sha'n' say no mo'," she went on slowly; "'cause I might forget myself
an' be sassy, an' I don' wan' to do dat. But ol' mis' better not
interfere with me, an' say mus', or I'll pack my trunk an' not come back
till Mrs. Burnam comes home. She buys my time, an' while I'm yere I
belongs to her; but she don' bully me. _She's_ a lady like what we use'
ter have down Souf, befo' de war; not like you Yankees."

Into her final sentence Janey had compressed all the scorn of which she
was capable. For a moment longer, she stood facing Mrs. Pennypoker;
then, turning on her heel, she left the room.

Mrs. Pennypoker was the first one of the group to come to her senses.

"That girl shall leave the house to-night," she exclaimed angrily. "I
won't have her here an hour longer."

"You aren't going to send Janey off!" demanded Allie indignantly.

"I certainly shall not keep her after what has occurred," returned Mrs.
Pennypoker coldly.

"But you can't; she isn't yours. She's mamma's," remonstrated Allie.

"I am taking your mother's place for the present, and I shall not retain
a servant who is so disrespectful," answered Mrs. Pennypoker again. "I
am surprised at you, Alice, for interfering in a matter which does not
belong to you."

"It does belong to me, too," returned Allie mutinously. "Janey's a
splendid girl, and mamma just thinks everything of her. She'll never
forgive you, if you send her off; and what's more, I hope she won't; so
there, now!"

"Alice!" And there was no mistaking the meaning of Mrs. Pennypoker's
tone.

"I don't care if 'tis!" exclaimed Allie, with illogical recklessness.
"You're just too mean, and I don't blame Janey one bit."

"Alice!" repeated Mrs. Pennypoker. "You may go to your room, and not
leave it again to-day. I shall tell your mother exactly what has
occurred."

"Tell away!" returned Allie. "I just hope you will. I'm not afraid of
mamma; she's not so cross as some people." And forcing back the angry
tears, she