"But we aren't young ladies, mammy, and we will be careful," urged
Bess.
"I don't think anyone _could_ get dirty in this kitchen," Dora added
in honest admiration.
This compliment pleased Mandy, and furthermore it was her kitchen, so
she said good-naturedly, "You can make all the candy you want, so long
as you get through before dinner-time."
With this permission the sugar and molasses were soon simmering in a
saucepan, sending forth a pleasant fragrance.
When it was well begun Bess sat down by Sukey, saying, "Now tell us a
story, mammy."
"Oh, go 'long, I tole you all my stories long ago! You all's getting
too big for stories. Looks like it was just yesterday that Miss Zelie
was askin', 'Mammy, tell me a story,' same as you."
"Was Auntie pretty when she was a little girl?" asked Bess.
"There never was a child as good-looking from first to last. Louise
favors her, and it looks like I forget sometimes that it ain't Miss
Zelie; but pretty is as pretty does, that's the truth, and she was
pretty in manners as well as face."
"Go on and tell us about her," begged Louise, for though they had
heard it all many times there was nothing they liked so well to listen
to. Nor was there anything Sukey liked so well to tell, so as she
sorted and turned and rolled the stockings in a leisurely way, she
began.
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