"There are pleasant neighbors
who will doubtless call when they hear of our arrival."
"I almost wish they may not hear of it then," Elsie said half laughing; "I
just want to be left free from the claims of society for this short time,
that I may fully enjoy being alone with my father and attending to the
comfort of my people. But excuse me, dear papa, I fear I interrupted you."
"I excuse you on condition that you are not again guilty of such a breach
of good manners. I was going on to say there are delightful drives and
walks in the vicinity, of which I hope we will be able to make good use;
also, we will have a row now and then on the bayou, and many an hour of
quiet enjoyment of the contents of the library."
"Yes, papa, I hope so; I do so enjoy a nice book, especially when read
with you. But I think that, for the present at least, I must spend a part
of each day in attending to the preparation of winter clothing for
house-servants and field hands."
"I won't have you doing the actual work, the cutting out and sewing, I
mean," he answered decidedly; "the head work, calculating how much
material is needed, what it will cost, etc., may be yours; but you have
servants enough to do all the rest."
"But, papa, consider; over three hundred to clothe, and I want it all done
while I am here to oversee.
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