Glancing up from her book, "Ah, Uncle Ben, good evening," she said. "What
can I do for you?"

"Missus," he answered, making a low salam, "all de darkies is gadered
togedder under a tree 'round de house yondah, and dey 'pint me committee
to come an' ax de young missus would she be so kind for to come an' read
the Bible to dem, an' talk, an' pray, an' sing like she do for de sick
ones down to de quarter? Dey be berry glad, missus, an' more dan obliged."

"Indeed I will, uncle," Elsie said, rising at once and going with him,
Bible in hand; "I had been thinking of doing this very thing."

She found a rustic seat placed for her under a giant oak, and garlanded
with fragrant flowers. Aunt Phillis, Aunt Chloe, Uncle Joe, and the rest
of the house-servants, gathered in a semicircle around it, while beyond,
the men, women, and children from the quarter sat or lay upon the grass,
enjoying the rest from the toils of the week, the quiet, the balmy air
laden with the fragrance of the magnolia and orange, and all the sweet
sights and sounds of rural life in that favored region.

Every one rose at the appearance of their young mistress, and there were
murmurs of delight and gratitude coming from all sides. "Now bress de
Lord, she read the good book for us." "She good an' lubly as de angels."
"Missus berry kind, de darkies neber forget."

Elsie acknowledged it all with a smile and a few kindly words, then
commanding silence by a slight motion of the hand, addressed them in a
clear, melodious voice, which, though not loud, could be distinctly heard
by every one of the now almost breathless listeners.