St. Clare thought, in his heart, that this was probably
only one of those things which good-natured owners say to
their servants, to alleviate their horror of being sold, with-
out any intention of fulfilling the expectation thus excited.
But he did not make any audible comment upon it, -- only
ordered Tom to get the horses out for a ride.

Tom's letter was written in due form for him that even-
ing, and safely lodged in the post-office.

Miss Ophelia still persevered in her labors in the house-
keeping line. It was universally agreed, among all the
household, from Dinah down to the youngest urchin, that
Miss Ophelia was decidedly "curis," -- a term by which a
Southern servant implies that his or her betters don't exactly
suit them.

The higher circle in the family -- to wit, Adolph, Jane,
and Rosa -- agreed that she was no lady; ladies never kept
working about as she did; -- that she had no air at all; and
they were surprised that she should be any relation of the
St. Clare s. Even Marie declared that it was absolutely
fatiguing to see Cousin Ophelia always so busy. And, in
fact, Miss Ophelia's industry was so incessant as to lay some
foundation for the complaint. She sewed and stitched
away, from daylight till dark, with the energy of one who
is pressed on by some immediate urgency; and then, when
the light faded, and the work was folded away, with one
turn out came the ever-ready knitting-work, and there she
was again, going on as briskly as ever. It really was a
labor to see her.

-261-