Her quick pride resented the scrutiny and recalled her courage, and it was with a slight coldness in her usual lazy indifference that she leaned over the counter and asked for the articles she wanted.
The request was followed by a dead silence.

Mrs.Tucker repeated it with some _hauteur_.
"I reckon you don't seem to know this store is in the hands of the sheriff," said one of the loungers.
Mrs.Tucker was not aware of it.
"Well, I don't know any one who's a better right to know than Spence Tucker's wife," said another with a coarse laugh.

The laugh was echoed by the others.

Mrs.Tucker saw the pit into which she had deliberately walked, but did not flinch.
"Is there any one to serve here ?" she asked, turning her clear eyes full upon the bystanders.
"You'd better ask the sheriff.

He was the last one to _sarve_ here.