nst the houses to keep warm.

This afternoon I had to sew up a bad cut in Hester's arm. She sat all
through school without a word to me, and then I could not close the
wound with sticking-plaster, so there was no alternative. She behaved
like a Spartan--her black skin made it easier for me, but not for her,
I fancy. So much for my first attempt at surgery. It was an ugly job.

FROM E. S. P. TO C. P. W.

_The Oaks, Jan. 21._ I got a letter from Mr. Forbes, who says he can
raise $12,000 for land, etc., to put in my hands, with the
understanding that when I get tired of managing the thing I shall
close up and divide what shall be left.[98] So I shall certainly buy
that end of the island, provided the lands are sold, which in Boston
they feel very sure they will _not_ be, and provided nobody else bids
over one dollar an acre or so.

FROM H. W.

_Jan. 21._ C. was gone all day tramping over the Pine Grove plantation
to see and map out the land so as to allot it for corn and cotton to
the people for this year's crop,--Flora's York for guide, who was much
amused at his maps. He brought me home as a present from Susan half a
dozen delicious sausages and a piece of fresh pork, which is very nice
here, as the pigs run wild and feed on the potatoes left in the field,
and other roots. Having had to wait for my washing for over a week, as
Judy went first to Beaufort to see "him niece," a man grown, who was
sick and died, and then was too sick herself, I hunted up some one
else and had our washing done. Housekeeping with such young things to
look after as Robert and Rose[99] only is not an easy or thoroughly
satisfactory proceeding, with so much else to see to in this great
house.

_Jan. 22._ Sam sent word that buckra and white lady were coming. I
went to the door. There stood Miss R., Mrs. Clark, and Mr. De la
Croix, and coming up the path were the rest of their party, Mrs.
Bundy, Mrs. Williams, Mr. R., and, still on the beach, Mr. Williams
and Dr. Bundy shooting. I flew down to Uncle Sam to give him
potatoes, white and sweet, and rice and hominy, telling him to have
the tea-kettle boiling so that I could give them a cup of coffee. We
had eaten our last loaf of bread that morning, so I mixed some
griddle-cakes, and Robert, who enjoyed the fun of so many people, set
the table and did very nicely, Rose running up and down stairs with
the hot flap-jacks. I don't wonder that country-people eat "griddles"
so much,--they are so