"Nor better company," added Elsie, archly, keeping her horse's head on a
line with that of her father's larger Steed, as they followed the winding
carriage road at a brisk canter.

"Why, you conceited little puss?" returned Mr. Dinsmore laughing.

Elsie blushed more deeply this time. "Why, papa, you are the company
to-day, are you not? I wished to go, and you kindly arranged to accompany
me."

"Ah! and that is how you look at it? Well, I recall my rebuke, and thank
you for your--what shall I say--pretty compliment, or appreciation of my
society?"

"Both, if you like. Oh, how nice it is to be at home again in our own dear
native land."

"And what do you call your own dear native land?"

"What a strange question, papa! The great, grand old Union to be
sure--North and South, East and West--is it not all mine? Have you not
taught me so yourself?"

"Yes," he said musingly.

They rode on in silence for some minutes, and when he spoke again, it was
upon a subject entirely foreign to the last.

"The place looks natural," he remarked, as they turned into the avenue