on the floor; pretty chintz curtains at the two
front windows; chintz covers of the same pattern on the two easy-chairs
and the sofa; a bright fire burning in the open fireplace, and a neat
tea-table set out in the middle of the floor.

But Hannah was nowhere visible.

"She has gone in her room, Ishmael, to take off her bonnet; it is the
other front one across the passage, just opposite to this; and as she
seems to be taking of her time, I may as well show you your'n, Ishmael.
Just drop them baskets down anywhere, and come with me, my lad," said
Gray, leading the way into the passage and up the staircase to the
second floor. Arrived there, he opened a door, admitting himself and his
companion into a chamber immediately over the sitting-room.

"This is your'n, Ishmael, and I hope as you'll find it comfortable and
make yourself at home," said Reuben, hastily, as he introduced Ishmael
to this room.

It was more rudely furnished than the one below. There was no carpet
except the strip laid down by the bedside; the bed itself was very
plain, and covered with a patchwork quilt; the two front windows were
shaded with dark green paper blinds; and the black walnut bureau,
washstand, and chairs were very old. Yet all was scrupulously clean; and
everywhere were evidences that the kindly care of Reuben Gray had taken
pains to discover Ishmael's habits and provide for his necessities. For
instance, just between the front windows stood an old-fashioned piece of
furniture, half book-case and half writing-desk, and wholly convenient,
containing three upper shelves well filled with books, a drawer full of
stationery, and a closet for waste paper.

Ishmael walked straight up to this.

"Why, where did you get this escritoire, and all these books, Uncle
Reuben?" he inquired, in surprise.

"Why, you see, Ishmael, the screwtwar, as you call it, was among the
old furnitur' sent down from the mansion-house here, to fit up this
place when I first came into it; you see, the housekeeper up there sends
the cast-off furniture to the overseer, same as she sends the cast-off
finery to the niggers."

"But the books, Uncle Reuben; they are all law books," said the boy,
examining them.

"Exactly; and that's why I was so fort'nate as to get 'em. You see, I
was at the sale at Colonel Mervin's to see if I could pick up anything
nice for Hannah; and I sees a lot of books sold--laws! why, the story
books all went off like wildfire; but when it co