“It is gentlemen like yourself to whom we must look for the preservation of our civilization,” said General Keith, and introduced him personally to every man he met as, “the gentleman who has bought my old place—­not a ‘carpet-bagger,’ but a gentleman interested in the development of our country, sir.”

Mr. Wickersham, in fact, was treated with a distinction to which he had been a stranger during his former visits South.  He liked it.  He felt quite like a Southern gentleman, and with one or two Northerners whom he met held himself a little distantly.

Once or twice the new owner of Elphinstone came down with parties of friends—­“to look at the country.”  They were interested in developing it, and had been getting sundry acts passed by the legislature with this in view. (General Keith’s nose always took a slight elevation when the legislature was mentioned.) General Keith entertained the visitors precisely as he had done when he was the master, and Mr. Wickersham and his guests treated him, in the main, as if he were still the master.  General Keith sat at the foot of the table opposite Mr. Wickersham, and directed the servants, who still called him “Master,” and obeyed him as such.

Mr. Wickersham conceived a great regard for General Keith, not unmingled with a certain contempt for his inability to avail himself of the new conditions.  “Fine old fellow,” he said to his friends.  “No more business-sense than a child.  If he had he would go in with us and make money for himself instead of telling us how to make it.”  He did not know that General Keith would not have “gone in” with him in the plan he had carried through that legislature to save his life.  But he honored the old fellow all the more.  He had stood up for the General against Mrs. Wickersham, who hated all Keiths on Ferdy’s account.  The old General, who was as oblivious of this as a child, was always sending Mrs. Wickersham his regards.

“Perhaps, she might like to come down and see the place?” he suggested.  “It is not what it used to be, but we can make her comfortable.”  His glance as it swept about him was full of affection.

Mr. Wickersham said he feared that Mrs. Wickersham’s health would not permit her to come South.

“This is the very region for her,” said the General.  “There is a fine health-resort in the mountains, a short distance from us.  I have been there, and it is in charge of an old friend of mine, Dr. Balsam, one of the best doctors in the State.  He was my regimental surgeon.  I can recommend him.  Bring her down, and let us see what we can do for her.”

Mr. Wickersham thanked him with a smile.  Time had been when Mrs. Wickersham had been content with small health-resorts.  But that time was past.  He did not tell General Keith that Mrs. Wickersham, remembering the fight between her son and Gordon, had consented to his buying the place from a not very noble motive, and vowed that she would never set her foot on it so long as a Keith remained there.  He only assured the General that he would convey his invitation.