would see what Clorinda was in that line when the supper came on.
She had learned down South where people knew how to live.

This speech prepared the strangers to receive their sable hostess with
great distinction, and when she launched a stupendous courtesy at them
in acknowledgment of their elaborate bows, the mutual admiration that
sprang up among the whole group then and there, was an oasis in the
desert of human nature.

"Miss Clorinda--Mr. Sparks, of the Metropolitan Hotel; Mr. Hannibal,
private attendant of an upper-crust gentleman, who is going to stop at
the Sailor's Safe Anchor, fishing and shooting."

Clorinda had just recovered herself from one courtesy, but she took the
wind in her garments and fluttered off into a couple more without loss
of time.

"I 'low de neighborhood am obligated to any gemmen as brings sich
pussons inter de serciety ob Piney Cove. If yer hasn't had deceived an
invite from Mr. Benson, dat white pusson yer sees up yunder, remit me de
ferlicity."

Clorinda took two buff envelopes from her bosom as she spoke, and gave
them to Mr. Sparks, of the Metropolitan, and Mr. Julius Hannibal,
private, with a smile that flitted across her face like smoke from a
furnace.

"It speaks ob pumps and yeller gloves as bein' indispenserable, but dem
as comes promiscus as yer friends dus, Dolphus, can't be spected ter
imply."

The gentlemen smiled in bland thankfulness, exhibiting a superb display
of ivory and second-hand white kids in the operation.

"You didn't expect me," whispered Dolf, joining Clorinda when she turned
to conduct the party to the house, "but the hart will pant after clear
water. I couldn't stand it three days longer; so when the master told me
to come over and see that every thing was ready, I jumped at it. Hope
you're not offended at my bringing these fellows?"

"'Fended!" exclaimed Clorinda, stepping upon the grass as if it had been
egg-shells, that she had resolved not to crush. "When was yer Clo ebber
fended wid yer, Dolphus?"

"Poor fellows," said Dolf, looking back at his friends, "They see my
ferlicity and are ready to burst with envy."

"Am dey?" exclaimed Clorinda, bridling--"poor souls; but no pusson can
be spected to cut up inter half a dozen, so dey am bound ter suffer."

The whole group had reached the front portico by this time. Vic, who had
stolen behind the hall-door and stood watching their approach through
the crevice, came forth now, blushing till the