Matters at Spring Bank

It had been a bright, pleasant day in March, when 'Lina was expected
home, and in honor of her arrival the house at Spring Bank wore its most
cheery aspect; not that any one was particularly pleased because she was
coming, unless it were the mother; but it was still an event of some
importance, and so the negroes cleaned and scrubbed and scoured,
wondering if "Miss 'Lina done fotch 'em anything," while Alice arranged
and re-arranged the plainly-furnished rooms, feeling beforehand how the
contrast between them and the elegancies to which 'Lina had recently
been accustomed would affect her.

Hugh had thought of the same thing, and much as it hurt him to do it, he
sold one of his pet colts, and giving the proceeds to Alice, bade her
use it as she saw fit.

Spring Bank had never looked one-half so well before, and the negroes
were positive there was nowhere to be found so handsome a room as the
large airy parlor, with its new Brussels carpet and curtains of worsted
brocatelle.

Even Hugh was somewhat of the same opinion, but then he only looked at
the room with Alice standing in its center, or stooping in some corner
to drive again a refractory nail, so it is not strange that he should
judge it favorably. Ad would be pleased, he knew, and he gave orders
that the carriage and harness should be thoroughly cleaned, and the
horses well groomed, for he would make a good impression upon his
sister.

Alas, she was not worth the trouble, the proud, selfish creature, who,
all the way from Lexington to the Big Spring station had been hoping
Hugh would not take it into his head to meet her, or if he did, that he
would not have on his homespun suit of gray, with his pants tucked in
his boots, and so disgrace her in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Ford, her
traveling companions, who would see him from the window. Yes, there he
was, standing expectantly upon the platform, and she turned her head the
other way pretending not to see him until the train moved on and Hugh
compelled her notice by grasping her hand and calling her "Sister
'Lina."