on any thing else. The quilt was of a domestic blue and
white, her own manufacture, and the cases to the pillows were very white
and smooth. A little, common trundle bedstead was underneath, and on it was
the bedding which was used for the younger children at night. The older
ones slept in the servants' wing in the house, Phillis making use of two
enormous chests, which were Bacchus's, and her wardrobes, for sleeping
purposes for a couple more. To the right of the bed, was the small chest of
drawers, over which was suspended Bacchus's many-sided piece of shaving
glass, and underneath it a pine box containing his shaving weapons. Several
chairs, in a disabled state, found places about the room, and Phillis's
clothes-horse stood with open arms, ready to receive the white and
well-ironed linen that was destined to hang upon it. On each side of the
fireplace was a small dresser, with plates and jars of all sizes and
varieties, and over each were suspended some branches of trees, inviting
the flies to rest upon them. There was no cooking done in this room, there
being a small shed for that purpose, back of the house; not a spot of
grease dimmed the whiteness of the floors, and order reigned supreme,
marvellous to relate! where a descendant of Afric's daughters presided.

Lydia had gone as usual to Miss Janet, and several of the other children
were busy about the yard, feeding the chickens, sweeping up, and employed
in various ways; the only one who ever felt inclined to be lazy, and who
was in body and mind the counterpart of his father, being seated on the
door step, declaring he had a pain in his foot.

The adjoining room was the place in which Phillis's soul delighted, the
door of it being at all times locked, and the key lost in the depths of her
capacious pocket. From this place of retirement it emerged when any of the
family honored her with their company, especially when attended by
visitors; and after their departure, traces of their feet were carefully
sought with keen and anxious eyes, and quickly obliterated with broom and
duster.

This, her sanctum sanctorum, was a roomy apartment with three windows, each
shaded by white cotton curtains. On the floor was a home-made carpet; no
hand was employed in its manufacture save its owner's, from the time she
commenced tearing the rags in strips, to the final blow given to the last
tack that confined it to the floor. A very high post bedstead, over which
were suspended wh