"Ah," exclaimed Dorothy as she entered the hall. "Just look at those swords. Did they all belong to Washington?"
"Yes, dear, the one in the middle of the three," answered Mrs. Calvert, "was the one he wore when he resigned his commission at Annapolis, and when he was inaugurated at New York."
"And what is this key hanging here for?" asked Alfaretta.
"That key has a most interesting history," answered Mr. Ludlow. "That is the key to the Bastile, that prison in Paris, which was so justly hated by the people, and which was demolished by the mob. Lafayette sent it to Washington in a letter."
Next they turned to the east and entered the music room. This room is under the care of the State of Ohio.
"Oh, just see all the things in here!" cried Dorothy. "Look at that dear harpsichord."
"That harpsichord was given to Nellie Custis by Washington," answered Aunt Betty.
They next entered the west parlor. Above the mantel piece is carved the coat-of-arms of the family. The carpet here is a rug presented by Louis XVI to Washington. It was woven to order, in dark green with orange stars; its center piece is the seal of the United States, and the border is a floriated design. This room was refurnished by the State of Illinois.
"Look, dear, see the spinet there," said Mrs. Calvert to Dorothy.
"Yes, and what beautiful candlesticks those are standing there on that queer table," answered Dorothy.
"What is this next room?" inquired Alfaretta.
"This room," answered Aunt Betty, "was Mrs. Washington's sitting room, and was refurnished in the manner of the period by Georgia. But the dining room is what I want you to especially notice. The furniture here was that originally used by Washington--"
"Next is Washington's library, for I see books in there," announced Ruth.
"This is one of the most important rooms in the house," said Mr. Ludlow, as they entered the banquet hall.
Its length is the whole width of the mansion, and its richly decorated ceiling is full two stories high.
"The ornate fireplace and mantel of Italian marble and workmanship once occupied a place in a country home in England," said Mrs. Calvert; "someone brought it over the ocean and gave it to Washington, and it is worth examining."
They now ascended the stairs to the second floor to visit the bedrooms.