The lady[8] presiding over this establishment possessed a cultivated mind, bright conversational powers, and gentle temper, with a force of character which enabled her judiciously to direct the affairs of her household, as well as the training and education of her children. [8] Mrs. Cary Breckinridge. She always employed an accomplished tutor, who added to the attractiveness of her home circle. She helped the boys with their Latin, and the girls with their compositions. In her quiet way she governed, controlled, suggested everything; so that her presence was required everywhere at once. While in the parlor entertaining her guests with bright, agreeable conversation, she was sure to be wanted by the cooks (there were six!) to "taste or flavor" something in the kitchen; or by the gardener, to direct the planting of certain seeds or roots,--and so with every department. Even the minister--there was always one living in her house--would call her out to consult over his text and sermon for the next Sunday, saying he could rely upon her judgment and discrimination. Never thinking of herself, her heart overflowing with sympathy and interest for others, she entered into the pleasures of the young as well as the sorrows of the old. If the boys came in from a fox or deer chase, their pleasure was incomplete until it had been described to her and enjoyed with her again. The flower-vases were never entirely beautiful until her hand had helped to arrange the flowers. The girls' laces were never perfect until she had gathered and crimped them. Her sons were never so happy as when holding her hand and caressing her. And the summer twilight found her always in the vine-covered porch, seated by her husband,--a dear, kind old gentleman,--her hand resting in his, while he quietly and happily smoked his pipe after the day's riding over his plantation, interviewing overseers, millers, and blacksmiths, and settling up accounts. One more reminiscence, and the Grove Hill picture will be done. No Virginia home being complete without some prominent negro character, the picture lacking this would be untrue to nature, and without the finishing touch. And not to have "stepped in" to pay our respects to old Aunt Betsy during a visit to Grove Hill would have been looked upon--as it should be to omit it here--a great breach of civility; for the old woman always received us at her door with a cordial welcome and a hearty shake of the hand. "Lor' bless de child'en!" she would say. "How dey does grow! Done grown up young ladies! Set down, honey. I mighty glad to see you. An' why didn't your ma[9] come? I would love to see Miss Fanny. She always was so good an' so pretty. Seems to me it aint been no time sence she and Miss Emma"--her own mistress--"use' to play dolls togedder, an' I use' to bake sweet cakes for dem, an' cut dem out wid de pepper-box top for dar doll parties; an' dey loved each other like sisters." [9] "Miss Fanny."