grandfather will lie
quiet in their graves. We are Federalists. If the Republicans win, the
country will go to the devil."

"Hi, dat so?" said Miranda. "Le's run open de big gate. Dey two gent'men
moughty free wid dey money."

Racing over the jewelled turf, mistress and maid arrived at the big gate
in time to swing it open before the approaching riders. Young Fairfax
Cary laughed and tossed a coin to Miranda, who bobbed and showed her
teeth, while his elder brother stooped gallantly to the pretty child of
the house he was leaving. "Do you know what you are like in your narrow
green gown and your blowing, yellow hair? You are like a daffodil in
your sister's garden."

"If you were to swing me up from the ground," said Deb meditatively, "I
could stand upon the toe of your boot, and hold by Pluto's mane, and
ride with you as far as the creek.--What flower is Jacqueline like?"

"Like no flower that blooms," said Mr. Ludwell Cary. "Ah, well sprung,
Proserpina! Now shall we go fast as the wind?"

They went fast as the wind to the creek, and then went like the wind
back to the gate, where Ludwell Cary swung the child down to earth and
the waiting Miranda.

Deb curtsied to him. "Wish me good luck, Daffy-down-Dilly!" he said,
with his charming smile.

"I do," she answered earnestly. "I hope that you will kill the Devil."

He looked puzzled. "Is that feasible? I don't know where to find him."

"Aren't you going to fight him at the Court House? Uncle Edward said
that you were going to put down Lucifer."

The two brothers broke into laughter. "I say, Fair!" cried the elder.
"Has Lewis Rand a cloven hoof? I've scarcely seen him, you know, since I
went to England!"

"He's all cloven hoof, damn him!" the other answered cheerfully. "Best
ride on. He'll have been at the Court House this hour!"

Ludwell Cary glanced at his watch. "Early or late, the result will be
the same. The county's going for him twice over!"

"A damned tobacco-roller's son!" growled the other.

The elder brother laughed. "'A man's a man for a' that,' Fair. I dare
say old Gideon rolled tobacco with all his might. As for his son, his
worst enemy--and I don't know that I am that--couldn't deny him courage
and energy."

"He's a dangerous man--"

"Most men are who have won by fighting. But I don't think he loves
violence. Well, well, I'm coming! Good-bye, little one!"

Deb curtsied and Miranda bobbed, the gentlemen touched their hats, black
Eli grin