Hannah made no comment, but worked on; for she was in a hurry to finish
the piece of cloth then in the loom; and so she diligently drove her
shuttle until Nora had baked the biscuits, fried the fish, made the
tea, set the table, and called her to supper.
"I suppose he has had a great deal to do, Hannah; but perhaps he may get
over here later in the evening," sighed Nora, as they took their seats
at the table.
"I don't know, dear; but it is my opinion that the old lady, even if she
is too artful to blow him up about you, will contrive to keep him busy
as long as possible to prevent his coming."
"Now, Hannah, I wish you wouldn't speak so disrespectfully of Herman's
mother. If she tries to prevent him from coming to see me, it is because
she thinks it her duty to do so, believing of me as badly as she does."
"Yes! I do not know how you can breathe under such a suspicion! It would
smother me!"
"I can bear it because I know it to be false, Hannah; and soon to be
proved so! Only one day more, Hannah! only one day!" exclaimed Nora,
gleefully clapping her hands.
They finished their supper, set the room in order, lighted the candle,
and sat down to the knitting that was their usual evening occupation.
Their needles were clicking merrily, when suddenly, in the midst of
their work, footsteps were heard outside.
"There he is now!" exclaimed Nora gayly, starting up to open the door.
But she was mistaken; there he was not, but an old woman, covered with
snow. .
"Law, Mrs. Jones, is this you?" exclaimed Nora, in a tone of
disappointment and vexation.
"Yes, child--don't ye see it's me? Le'me come in out'n the snow,"
replied the dame, shaking herself and bustling in.
"Why, law, Mrs. Jones, you don't mean it's snowing!" said Hannah,
mending the fire, and setting a chair for her visitor.
"Why, child, can't you see it's a-snowing--fast as ever it can? been
snowing ever since dark--soft and fine and thick too, which is a sure
sign it is agoing to be a deep fall; I shouldn't wonder if the snow was
three or four feet deep to-morrow morning!" said Mrs. Jones, as she
seated herself in the warmest corner of the chimney and drew up the
front of her skirt to toast her shins.
"Nora, dear, pour out a glass of wine for Mrs. Jones; it may warm her
up, and keep her from taking cold," said Hannah hospitably.