“Yes, darlin’, massa out on the veranda, but he say ’Let your missus sleep long as she will.’”

“My always kind and indulgent father!  Mammy, I’ll take a bath; and then while you arrange my hair, I’ll try the oranges.  Go now and ask papa when he will have his breakfast, and tell Aunt Phillis to see that it is ready at the hour he names.”

Chloe obeyed, and an hour later Elsie met her father in the breakfast-room so glad, so gay, so bright, that his heart swelled with joy and pleasure in his child, and all fears that she had overfatigued herself vanished from his mind.

She was full of plans for the comfort and profit of her people, but all to be subject to his approval “Papa dear,” she said as soon as their morning greetings had been exchanged, “I think of sending for a physician to examine Suse and tell us whether there is reason for her complaints.  She must not be forced to work if she is really ill.”

“I think it would be well,” he replied.  “There is an excellent physician living about three miles from here.”

Elsie was prompt in action by both nature and training, and instantly summoning a servant, despatched him at once on the proposed errand.

“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 misery in back and head and limbs.

“De doctah hab been heyah,” she said, “an’ leff me dese powdahs to take,” drawing a tiny package from under her pillow.

Elsie spoke soothingly to her; said she should have some broth from the house, and should be excused from work till the doctor pronounced her quite fit for it again; and left her apparently quite happy.