I had an internal conviction that Lottie was correct in her judgment; but not considering it necessary to admit as much, I made an effort to turn the subject.
"What were you doing behind that screen? I hope you haven't taken to listening to the whole house."
"Now, Miss Hyde, I didn't think you'd accuse me in that way. But I don't blame you--Babylon's made you huffy! Cut in agin, Miss Matty, if you want to!"
"But you should not do those things, Lottie!"
"Not quite so fast, if you please. I can tell you what I went behind there for."
"I do not wish to inquire into your proceedings," I said, coldly, and was moving away; but she caught me by the arm.
"Please don't go off mad, Miss Hyde," she pleaded; "I'll tell you the truth. I was in the little room looking out a book Mrs. Lee wanted, when I heard you and Miss Jessie talking on the terrace. I didn't know what you said, and didn't want to; but just then I saw Cora creep through the hall, and stand listening by the door. So I slips out, got behind the screen, and, once there, I had to stay till the folks got off."
"I should rather guess she was! and a-shaking them big ear-rings. She didn't miss a word, you may be sure!"
"Why? Come, now, that's good! 'Cause Babylon tells her to, and 'cause her heart's blacker than her face, and she loves mischief as well as the gray cat does cream."
"You cannot think her mistress would countenance her in such proceedings."
"I don't think nothing about it--I know, Miss Hyde. She's got countenance of her own, though, to help her through a'most anything! But I tell you she's sot on to spy and listen."
"That is a fault you ought to judge leniently, Lottie."
"No, 'tain't, Miss Hyde! I've always been above things of that sort; but since Babylon's come the world's changed, and I have to fix myself according to circumstances. But don't you fall foul o' either of them again--'tain't no use! Why, she walked Mr. Lee and Miss Jessie right off afore your eyes, and you may bet your front teeth that by this time she's made them believe you're cross-grained, and jealous as a lap-dog!"
"No, you ain't--you can't stay cross two minutes! And as for good looks--wal, if you furbelowed yourself off like some folks that shall be nameless, you'd be more than as young-looking as some folks themselves."