"You are a stranger, my dear; it is only that. And they are all so fond of Cicely that it wouldn't be Christmas to them if she did not pay them a visit; they worship her." "And after she has sung that song!" "That song?" "'Niggerless,'" quoted Eve, indignantly. "Well, we are niggerless, or nearly so," said Miss Sabrina, mystified. "It's the word, the term." "Oh, you mean nigger? It is very natural to us to say so. I suppose you prefer negroes? If you like, I will try to call them so hereafter. Negroes; yes, negroes." She pronounced it "nig-roes." "I don't know whether I have told you," she went on, "how much Cicely dislikes dreams?" "Well she may!" was the thought of Jack Bruce's sister. What she said, with a short laugh, was, "You had better tell her to be careful about eating hot breads." "Would you have her eat _cold_ bread?" said Miss Sabina, in surprise. "I didn't mean that her nights were disturbed; I only meant that she dislikes the _telling_ of dreams--a habit so common at breakfast, you know. I thought I would just mention it." Eve gave another abrupt laugh. "Do you fear I am going to tell her mine? She would not find them all of sugar." "I did not mean yours especially. She has such a curious way of shutting her teeth when people begin--such pretty little white teeth as they are, too, dear child! And she doesn't like reading aloud either." "That must be a deprivation to you," said Eve, her tone more kindly. "It is. I have always been extremely fond of it. Are you familiar with Milton? His 'Comus'?" "'Sabrina fair, listen where thou art sitting?" quoted Eve, smiling. "Yes. "'Sabrina fair, listen where thou art sitting, Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, In twisted braids of lilies knitting--'" said the Southern lady in her murmurous voice. "You don't know what a pleasure it has always been to me that I am named Sabrina. The English originated 'Comus;' I like the English, they are so cultivated." "Do you see many of them here?" "Not many. I am sorry to say my father does not like them; he thinks them affected." "That is the last thing I should call them." "Well, those who come here really do say 'serpents' and 'crocodiles.'" "Do you mean as an oath?" said Eve, thinking vaguely of "Donner und blitzen." "As an oath? I have never heard it used in that way," answered Miss Sabrina, astonished. "I mean that they call the snakes serpents, and the alligators crocodiles; my father thinks that so very affected." Thus the wan-cheeked mistress of Romney endeavored to entertain their guest.