Oh, how nice it is to be at home again in our own dear
native land."
"And what do you call your own dear native land?"
"What a strange question, papa! The great, grand old Union to be
sure--North and South, East and West--is it not all mine? Have you not
taught me so yourself?"
"Yes," he said musingly.
They rode on in silence for some minutes, and when he spoke again, it was
upon a subject entirely foreign to the last.
"The place looks natural," he remarked, as they turned into the avenue
leading to the fine old dwelling of the Carringtons.
"How kind, how very kind, to come so soon!" was Mrs. Carrington's cordial,
joyful salutation. "Mr. Dinsmore, I owe you a thousand thanks for not only
permitting your daughter to come, but bringing her yourself."
"You are very welcome, my dear madam," he answered courteously; "and,
indeed, I should like to see Mrs. Rose myself, when she is well enough and
feels that it will be agreeable to her."
A few moments' chat in the drawing-room, and Mr. Dinsmore drew out his
watch. "How long a talk do you want with your friend to-day, Elsie?" he
asked.
"Oh, just as long as I can be allowed, papa!" she cried, with much of the
old childish eagerness.
"Then the sooner you begin, the better, I think, for we ought to be on our
way to Roselands in an hour, or an hour and a quarter at the farthest.
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