e got so excited that I opened the door, but Cora Belle
told her to go away. She said, "They ain't for you, Granny, and they
ain't for me either." ...

People here observe Decoration Day faithfully, and Cora Belle had
brought half a wagon-load of iris, which grows wild here. Next morning
we were all up early, but Cora Belle's flowers had wilted and she had
to gather more, but we all hurried and helped. She said as she was
going to see her mother she wanted to wear her prettiest dress, so Gale
and Mrs. O'Shaughnessy helped her to get ready. The cemetery is only
about two miles away, so we were all down quite early. We were obliged
to hurry because others were coming to help sew. Cora Belle went at
once to the graves where her parents lie side by side, and began
talking to her mother just as though she saw her. "You didn't know me,
did you, Mother, with my pretty new things? But I am your little girl,
Mamma. I am your little Cora Belle." After she had talked and had
turned every way like a proud little bird, she went to work. And, oh,
how fast she worked! Both graves were first completely covered with
pine boughs. It looked like sod, so closely were the little twigs laid.
Next she broke the stems off the iris and scattered the blossoms over,
and the effect was very beautiful. Then we hurried home and everybody
got busy. The men took Grandpa off to another part of the ranch where
they were fanning oats to plant, and kept him all day. That was good
for him because then he could be with the men all day and he so seldom
has a chance to be with men. Several ladies came and they all made
themselves at home and worked like beavers, and we all had a fine
time....

Sedalia was present and almost caused a riot. She says she likes
unusual words because they lend distinction to conversation. Well, they
do--sometimes. There was another lady present whose children are very
gifted musically, but who have the bad name of taking what they want
without asking. The mother can neither read nor write, and she is very
sensitive about the bad name her children have. While we were all busy
some one made a remark about how smart these children were. Sedalia
thought that a good time to get in a big word, so she said, "Yes, I
have always said Lula was a progeny." Mrs. Hall didn't know what she
meant and thought that she was casting reflections on her child's
honesty, so with her face scarlet and her eyes blazing she said,
"Sedalia Lane, I won't a