"There are pleasant neighbors who will doubtless call when they hear of our arrival." "I almost wish they may not hear of it then," Elsie said half laughing; "I just want to be left free from the claims of society for this short time, that I may fully enjoy being alone with my father and attending to the comfort of my people.

But excuse me, dear papa, I fear I interrupted you." "I excuse you on condition that you are not again guilty of such a breach of good manners.

I was going on to say there are delightful drives and walks in the vicinity, of which I hope we will be able to make good use; also, we will have a row now and then on the bayou, and many an hour of quiet enjoyment of the contents of the library." "Yes, papa, I hope so; I do so enjoy a nice book, especially when read with you.

But I think that, for the present at least, I must spend a part of each day in attending to the preparation of winter clothing for house-servants and field hands." "I won't have you doing the actual work, the cutting out and sewing, I mean," he answered decidedly; "the head work, calculating how much material is needed, what it will cost, etc., may be yours; but you have servants enough to do all the rest." "But, papa, consider; over three hundred to clothe, and I want it all done while I am here to oversee." "Have not some of the house-servants been trained as seamstresses ?" "Yes, sir, two of them, mammy tells me." "Very well; she knows how to run a sewing-machine.

Send for one when you order your material; both can be had in the nearest town.