It had not even taken that time for Courtland to discover that the real improvements and the new methods had originated with Miss Sally; that she was virtually the controlling influence there, and that she was probably retarded rather than assisted by the old-fashioned and traditional conservatism of the company of which Champney was steward.

It was equally plain, however, that the young fellow was dimly conscious of this, and was frankly communicative about it.
"You see, over there they work things in a different way, and, by Jove! they can't understand that there is any other, don't you know?
They're always wigging me as if I could help it, although I've tried to explain the nigger business, and all that, don't you know?
They want Miss Dows to refer her plans to me, and expect me to report on them, and then they'll submit them to the Board and wait for its decision.

Fancy Miss Dows doing that! But, by Jove! they can't conceive of her AT ALL over there, don't you know ?" "Which Miss Dows do you mean ?" asked Courtland dryly.
"Miss Sally, of course," said the young fellow briskly.

"SHE manages everything--her aunt included.

She can make those niggers work when no one else can, a word or smile from her is enough.