They work harder than anyone I ever knew, and they call it 'improving the time.' They thought me a very silly, reckless young woman, and I think they all prayed for me.

One night after they had sung some very nice songs they asked me to play, and I began with 'My Little Brown Rose'-- you know they all adore the negro--and little by little I dropped into the funniest coon songs I knew, and oh how they laughed! Even the old lord stroked his knees and laughed out loud, while the young ladies laughed into their handkerchiefs.

Lady Stanhope was the only one who comprehended I was guying them; and she looked at me with half-shut eyes in a way that would have spoiled some girls' fun.

It only made me the merrier.

So I tried to show them a cake walk, but the old lord rose then and said 'I must be tired, and they would excuse me.' Somehow I could not manage him.