My own have
done enough pacing of the quarter-deck to have earned that indulgence."
"And won't it be just--paradise," cried Peggy rapturously.
They were now nearing the paddock. To one side was a long row of little
cottages occupied by the stable hands' families. Mr. Stewart paused and
smiled, for out of each popped a funny little black woolly head to catch
a glimpse of "Massa Captain," as all the darkies on the place called
him.
"Good Lord, where DO they all come from, Peggy? Have they all been born
since my last visit? There were not so many here then."
"Not quite all," answered Peggy laughing. "Most of them were here before
that, though there are some new arrivals either in the course of nature
or new help. You see the business is growing, Daddy, and I've had to
take on new hands."
Neil Stewart started. "Was this little person who talked in such a
matter-of-fact way about "taking on new hands" his little Peggy?
"Yes, yes--I dare say," he answered in a sort of daze.
Peggy seemed unaware of anything the least unusual and continued:
"I want you to see THIS family.
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