It was truly the homage of the heart, for scarce one of them would have hesitated to risk life and limb in her service.
She dispensed her favors with great impartiality, and was borne to the house on the shoulders of several of these ardent admirers, each taking his turn in carrying her part of the way, that all might share in the privilege; since the loving little heart would not favor one to the rejection of the others.
It was just as Mr. Coonly, the solicitor, was about taking his departure that the baby girl was thus borne in triumph to the veranda, and set down there all flushed and rosy and crowing with delight.
"Nice ride, Uncle Ben, and all you other uncles," she said, kissing her hand to them, "Mammy will get you some cakes."
"She's a beautiful child!" exclaimed the solicitor in an aside to Mrs. Murray.
"Yes, sir; and a dear bairn, sweet and good as she is fair."
"Will you give me a good-bye kiss, my little dear?" he asked, stepping toward her.
"Yes," she said, holding up her rosebud mouth. "But I don't know you. Did you come to see my uncle? Where is he?"
He gave her a puzzled look, then saying, "I haven't time to tell you now, my little girl," hurried away.
She looked after him for a moment, then turning to Mrs. Murray, repeated her question.
"Gone away, darling," was the answer. "Now come in and eat your supper; and then we'll have a nice bit talk."
"Not mine--yet dear to me--fair, fragrant blossom Of a fair tree-- Crushed to the earth in life's first glorious summer,-- Thou'rt dear to me, Child of the lost, the buried and the sainted." --Mrs. Wiley.
The housekeeper's room, to which she now led the little Elsie, was a cheery, pleasant place, On a small round table, covered with snowy satin-like damask, and a service of glittering silverware, cut glass and Sevres china, a tempting little repast was laid out for the two.
Mrs. Murray took her seat, and Aunt Chloe lifted Elsie into a high chair opposite.
The little one closed her eyes, folded her baby hands and bent reverently over her plate, while Mrs. Murray asked, in a few simple words, a blessing on their food.
Aunt Chloe waited on them while they ate, devoting herself particularly to her infant charge, as another servant was in attendance, then withdrew to the servants' hall to eat her own supper.