Then followed a moment of suspense, during which the newcomer sat
biting her under lip, a merry smile in her face. She was like a
child dallying with a red plum.
"You're too provoking!" said the sister Lize, impatiently. "Why
do you keep us hanging by the eyebrows?" She pulled her yarn with
some violence, and the ball dropped to the floor, rolling half
across it.
"Sh-h-h!" said the dear sister Bet again. Another woman had
stopped by the door. Then a scornful whisper from the sister Lize.
"It's that horrible Kate Tredder. Mercy! is she coming in?"
She came in. Long since she had ceased to enjoy credit or
confidence at the little shop.
"Nice day," said she.
The sister Lize moved impatiently and picked up her work. This
untimely entrance had left her "hanging by the eyebrows" and red
with anxiety. She gave the newcomer a sweeping glance, sighed and
said, "Yes." The sister Bet grew serious and began tapping the
floor with her toe.
"I've been clear 'round the square," said Mrs. Tredder, "an' I
guess I'll sit a while. I ain't done a thing to-day, an' I don't
b'lieve I'll try 'til after dinner. Miss Tole, you may give me
another yard o' that red silk ribbon.
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