"And now what next?" smilingly inquired her father.

"Well, papa, after breakfast and prayers--how some of the old servants
seemed to enjoy them last night--I think of going down to the quarter to
see what may be needed there. Unless you have some other plan for me," she
added quickly.

"Suppose we first mount our horses and ride over the estate, to learn for
ourselves whether Mr. Spriggs has been as faithful as he would have us
believe."

"Ah yes, papa; yours is always the better plan."

Their ride in the clear, sweet morning air was most delightful, and both
felt gratified with the fine appearance of the crops and the discovery
that Spriggs' boast was no idle one; everything being in the nicest order.

They took the quarter on the way to the house, and dismounting, entered
one neatly whitewashed cabin after another, kindly inquiring into the
condition and wants of the inmates, Elsie making notes on her tablets that
nothing might be forgotten.

Everywhere the visit was received with joy and gratitude, and an almost
worshipful homage paid to the sweet young mistress whom they seemed to
regard as akin to the angels: probably in a great measure because of her
extraordinary likeness to her mother, of whom, for so many years they had
been accustomed to think and speak as one of the heavenly host.

Spriggs' victim of the previous day was in bed, complaining much of a