t," replied her
father, taking a seat by her on the sofa, for they were in their own
private parlor; "you may find unaired bed-linen and an empty larder,
which, beside inconveniencing yourself, would sorely mortify and trouble
Aunt Phillis and her right-hand woman, Sarah, the cook."

"I should be sorry you should have an inhospitable reception, papa, but
fires are soon kindled and linen aired, and is not the pantry kept
supplied with canned and preserved fruits? and are there not fresh fruits,
vegetables, chickens, and eggs at hand for immediate use?"

"Yes, certainly; and we are not likely to suffer. We Will, then, leave
here to-morrow, if you wish, taking the steamer for Berwick Bay. But why
prefer to come upon them unexpectedly?"

Elsie smiled, and blushed slightly. "You know I never have any
concealments from you, papa, and I will be frank about this," she said. "I
don't think I apt to be suspicious, and yet the thought has come to me
several times within the last few days, that the overseer has had every
opportunity to abuse my poor people if he happens to be of a cruel
disposition. And if he is ill-treating them I should like to catch him at
it," she added, her eyes kindling, and the color deepening on her cheek.

"And what would you do in that case?" her lather asked, with a slight
smile, drawing her close to him and touching his lips to the blooming
cheek.

"Dismiss him, I suppose, papa; I don't know what else I could do to punish
him or prevent further cruelties. I should not like to shoot him down,"
she added, laughingly; "and I doubt if I should have strength to flog
him."

"Doubt?" laughed her father, "certainly you could not, single-handed;
unless his politeness should lead him to refrain from any effort to defend
himself; and I, it would seem, am not expected to have anything to do with
the matter."

A deeper blush than before now suffused Elsie's fair cheek. "Forgive me,
dear papa," she said, laying her head on his shoulder, and fondly stroking
his face with her pretty white hand. "Please consider yourself master
there as truly as at the Oaks, and as you have been for years; and
understand that your daughter means to take no important step without your
entire approval."

"No, I do not go there as master, but as your guest," he answered, half
playfully, half tenderly.

"My guest? That seems pleasant indeed, papa; and yet I want you to be
master too. But you will at least advise me?"

"To the b