Tom explained that there had been no need for them since he had lived pretty much in his office, what had been the use in keeping darkies standing about doing nothing?
He had got rid of those show niggers and put their price in husky field hands, who could be made to do a day's work and not feel they were abused.
But Tom was mistaken in his supposition that Betty would soon tire of Belle Plain.

She demanded men, and teams, and began on the lawns.

This interested and fascinated her.

She was out at sun-up to direct her laborers.

She had the advantage of Charley Norton's presence and advice for the greater part of each day in the week, and Sundays he came to look over what had been accomplished, and, as Tom firmly believed, to put that little fool up to fresh nonsense.