Kate Chopin

“ Artemise is in some respects an extraordinary person. In age she is anywhere between ten and fifteen, with a head not unlike in shape and appearance to a dark chocolate-colored Easter-egg. She talks almost wholly in monosyllables, and has big round glassy eyes, which she fixed upon one with the placid gaze of an Egyptian sphinx. ”

“ All the afternoon the searching party kept returning, singly and in couples, and in a more or less bedraggled condition. All brought unfavorable reports. Nothing more could be seen of the missing fowls. ”

“ You found dem turkeys?” turning upon the child. “Whar was you at, de whole blesse’ time? Warn’t you stan’in’ plank up agin de back o’ de hen-‘ous’? Never budged a inch? Don’t jaw me down, gal; don’t jaw me!” Artemise was only gazing at Aunt Florindy with unruffled calm. “I warn’t gwine tell on ‘er, but arter dat untroof, I boun’ to.”
“Let her alone, Aunt Florindy,” Madame interfered. “Where are the turkeys, Artemise?” ”