A few minutes or an hour or two would settle the momentous question, and decide whether or not all the family, as well as Florry, would take passage in the Bellevite for a more Northern clime.
"De Lo'd!" exclaimed the venerable colored man that came to the door.
"De hull family done be wery glad to see you, Massa 'Ratio." "I hope you are very well, Pedro," replied Captain Passford, as he gave his hand to the old servant.

"Here is Christy." "De Lo'd bless Massa Christy!" And he shook hands with the son as he had with the father.
"Is your master at home, Pedro ?" asked the visitor, in haste to see his brother.
"Yes, sar; all de folks to home; jes' gwine to lunch.

I spects dey all wery glad to see Massa 'Ratio and Massa Christy.

Walk in, sar; took a seat in de parlor; and I done reckon we call Massa Homer and de rest ob de folks afore you gits to sleep in yer char, thar," said Pedro, as he scurried out of the room where he had shown the visitors.
It was Florry who caught the first sound of the visitors who had arrived, and she rushed into the drawing-room before the others could be called from up-stairs.

She bounded into the room like a fawn, with her eyes swimming with tears, and threw herself into her father's arms.