A mound of turf, flanked by two spreading roots, was the Governor's chair of state, and Alce and Molly he must needs seat beside him.

Not one of his gay company but seemed an adept in the high-flown compliment of the age; out of very idleness and the mirth born of that summer hour they followed his Excellency's lead, and plied the two simple women with all the wordy ammunition that a tolerable acquaintance with the mythology of the ancients and the polite literature of the present could furnish.

The mother and daughter did not understand the fine speeches, but liked them passing well.

In their lonely lives, a little thing made conversation for many and many a day.

As for these golden hours,--the jingle and clank and mellow laughter, the ruffles and gold buttons and fine cloth, these gentlemen, young and handsome, friendly-eyed, silver-tongued, the taste of wine, the taste of flattery, the sunshine that surely was never yet so bright,--ten years from now they would still be talking of these things, still wishing that such a day could come again.
The negroes were now busy around the fires, and soon the cheerful odor of broiling meat rose and blended with the fragrance of the forest.