"Thank you. Now make yourself at home and take good care of your young
mistress."

"Dat I will, missy; best I knows how. Trus' dis chile for dat."

Elsie's riding habit was quickly exchanged for a house dress, her
hair made smooth and shining as its wont, and securing her book she
returned with Lucy to the lower veranda, where they found Herbert
still extended upon his sofa.

His face brightened at sight of Elsie. He had laid aside his book, and
was at work with his knife upon a bit of soft pine wood. He whiled
away many a tedious hour by fashioning in this manner little boxes,
whistles, sets of baby-house furniture, etc., etc., for one and
another of his small friends. Books, magazines, and newspapers filled
up the larger portion of his time, but could not occupy it all, for,
as he said, he must digest his mental food, and he liked to have
employment for his fingers while doing so.

"Please be good enough to sit where I can look at you without too
great an effort, won't you?" he said, smiling up into Elsie's face.

"Yes, if that will afford you any pleasure," she answered lightly, as
Lucy beckoned to a colored girl, who stepped forward and placed a low
rocking chair at the side of the couch.

"There, that is just right. I can have a full view of your face by
merely raising my eyes," Herbert said with satisfaction, as Elsie
seated herself in it. "What, you have brought a book?"