Eying her closely for a while, she at length inquired:
"Capitola, how long have you lived at Hurricane Hall?"
"So long," replied Cap, "that you must have heard of me! I, at
least, have often heard of Mother Dorkey Knight."
"And heard no good of her!"
"Well, no--to be candid with you, I never did," said Cap.
"And much harm of her?" continued the woman, keeping her stern black
eyes fixed upon those of her guest.
"Well, yes--since you ask me, I have heard pretty considerable
harm!" answered Cap, nothing daunted.
"Where did you live before you came to Hurricane Hall?" asked
Dorcas.
"Where I learned to fear God, to speak the truth and to shame the
devil!" replied Cap.
--"And to force yourself into people's houses against their will!"
"There you are again! I tell you that when I learn from the head of
this household that I am unwelcome, then I will retreat, and not
until then! And now I demand to be presented to the master."
"To Colonel Le Noir?"
"Yes."
"I cannot curse you with the 'curse of a granted prayer! Colonel Le
Noir is away."
"Why do you talk so strangely?" inquired Capitola.
"It is my whim. Perhaps my head is light."
"I should think it was, excessively so! Well--as the master of the
house is away, be good enough to present me to the mistress?"
"What mistress? There is no mistress here!" replied Dorcas, looking
around in strange trepidation.
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