"What shall I use that for?" said he. "My trousers are all tobacco spit
now, and grease won't hurt 'em any now. Halloo! Here waiter, bring me a
decent fork, for Lord knows I can't eat with this here shovel and if I
take my fingers Tempest'll raise a row de dow."
The servant looked at his mistress, who said, "Samuel, bring Mr. Middleton
a steel fork."
When the dessert was brought in Mr. Middleton again exclaimed, as he took
his plate of pudding, "Now what can this be?"
"It is tapioca pudding," said Mrs. Crane.
"Tap-an-oakky," returned Mr. Middleton. "Well, if you don't have the
queerest things to eat! You ought to come to my house. We don't have any
your chicken fixin's nor little three-cornered hankerchers laid out at
each plate."
At last, to Julia's great relief, dinner was over, and she got her father
started for home. Suddenly Mr. Middleton exclaimed, "That ar doctor is a
mighty fine chap. Why don't you set your cap for him, Sunshine?"
"It would be of no use, father," answered Fanny.
"Wall, if I'm not mistaken, he's laid his snare for a bird, and I don't
care how soon you fall into it, darling," said Mr. Middleton.
"How ridiculous!" exclaimed Julia.
"Ho now, jealous, are you, Tempest?" said her father. "What in thunder do
you think he'll want of you, who are engaged to Mr. Wilmot?"
This was a truth which had troubled Julia, and she greatly regretted her
engagement, for she well knew Dr. Lacey never would think of her as long
as he thought she belonged to another. She had watched with a jealous eye
the growing intimacy between him and Fanny, and resolved to leave no means
untried to prevent a union between them, and to secure the doctor for
herself. To do this she knew she must break her engagement with Mr.
Wilmot, and also give Dr. Lacey a bad opinion of her sister. She felt sure
of success, for when did she undertake anything and fail? Sinful girl! She
was freed from her engagement in a way she little dreamed of.
Four weeks from the time of her first visit home, word came that Mr.
Wilmot was sick and would not be able to teach that day. He had been
unwell for several days, and next morning it was announced that he had the
typhoid fever. Fanny's first impulse was to go and see him, but Julia
prevented her by saying that he would send for her when he wanted her.