much easier and more quickly prepared than
anything else. But nothing is done quickly in this region, and all
this was a work of time, during which I entertained my guests and they
entertained themselves in the "shop," and they became great
purchasers. Then the boatmen who had brought them came up for sugar
and tobacco, and Mr. De la Croix opened the new box for me, and they
were very much amused to see me diving into the depths of the
sugar-barrel and handling the tobacco at "eight cents a plug!" They
were very merry and jolly and seemed to enjoy themselves,--certainly
Mrs. Bundy did at our piano, and we in hearing her. Robert and Rose
could not put the things on the table--they were fixed, as soon as
they entered the room, with delight. It was funny work getting
together dishes enough, but I made out. My table was full and my
guests hungry, though they protested they only came for a call and did
not want any luncheon. We got up from table about three, I got Dr.
Bundy to take the stitches from Hester's arm and dress it, and then
they said they must be off,--they had stayed too long already. And so
it proved, for the tide had gone out and the boat was high and dry on
an oyster-bank! They did not seem much distressed, and all betook
themselves to a walk towards the quarters, which they visited in a
body, to the delight of the people. I was informed, "Miss Hayut,
buckra-man on hos-bahck," and Mr. Thorpe appeared on business with C.;
as it never rains but it pours, two officers from our blockading
vessel now landed, to see the pickets they were told were here. They
did not stay long, and then I went to find Dr. Bundy and see what time
they would get off. I found they could not get away till seven, so
began to make preparations for tea. I knew my table would not be large
enough, and was quietly taking all the books and papers off the big
round one in the corner, when the ladies discovered what I was about;
they rose in a body and protested they would not have any tea. But the
gentlemen equally protested I should do just as I chose, and set them
to work if I would, so they wheeled out the table and Mr. De la Croix
went with me to the milk-closet to take down the shelves, which were
the leaves. The table is a monstrous great round one, solid mahogany,
and with its leaves in made my table-cloth look like a towel on the
grass, so we took to the bare boards. We sat down twelve to a
repetition of the lunch, with the addition of S