Her ears, for even heroines are possessed of them, are weighed down by heavy golden ear-rings, and a cloud of plain lace runs round her neck, and gently rubs her throat.
Pensiveness and laughter chase each other over her fresh little face, like floating clouds;--she is a true child of the South.
The Squire sits down in the large chair, in the corner of the fire-place, and takes Miss Redbud on his knee.

Then commences a prattle on the part of the young lady, interrupted by much laughter from the old gentleman; then the Squire swears profanely at indolent Caesar, his spaniel, who, lying on the rug before the fire, stretches his hind feet sleepily, and so makes an assault upon his master's stockings; then breakfast is ready, and grace being devoutly said, they all sit down, and do that justice to the meal which Virginians never omit.

Redbud is the soul of the room, however, and even insists upon a romp with the old gentleman, as he goes forth to mount his horse.
The Squire thus disappears toward the barn.

Miss Lavinia superintends the household operation of "washing up the tea things," and Redbud puts on her sun-bonnet, and goes to take a stroll..