Ada had quite forgotten herself, or else she misunderstood the man with whom she had to deal. Very quietly he listened, but the storm was gathering within, and when she had finished, it burst upon her with a vengeance; he bidding her never again, either in his presence or the presence of any one, say aught disparagingly of his wife. “Her actions shall not be questioned by you,” said he, “and you _shall_ treat her with deference, for in every respect she is your superior, save that of _age_, and there, I admit, you have the advantage.” This decided the matter at once, for Ada was afraid of him, and though she could not conceal her dislike from me, she was in his presence always kind, considerate and sometimes even affectionate in her demeanor towards me, coming at last to call him “Uncle Dick,” in imitation of Halbert, and _me_ “Aunt Rose,” particularly if there were any strangers present. The morning following my arrival I was formally presented to the servants, who received me with many demonstrations of joy, the older portion “bressin’ de Lord they had lived to see Mars’r Richard look so happy and peart like as he did with the new Miss.” Only one eyed me at all askance, and that was Aunt Hagar, the housekeeper, who saw in me a rival—one who would henceforth wear jingling at her belt the huge bunch of keys, which for so long a time had been to her a badge of honor. Then, too, the old lady, like my other new relatives, had some fears “that Miss Rose didn’t ‘long to the quality, and that Mars’r Richard had done histed hisself down a peg or so by marryin’ one who was brought up in de free states, whar dar warn’t nary nigger to fotch ’em a drink of water or fan when de sun was roastin’ hot.” With a look of injured dignity, which made the steeple of a turban on her head tremble, she undid from her waist the bunch of keys, and offering them to me, said, “I ’spects these are yourn now.” I drew back, for to me there was nothing pleasing in the idea of being disturbed every time a lump of sugar, a piece of coal, or a pan of flour was wanted, so I said, “If my husband is willing I’d rather you’d keep them yourself, as I know you are trusty.” Hagar’s face brightened perceptibly and I am induced to think she forgot in a measure my misfortune in having been born in a _free state_! At all events I have not now a more devoted servant than Hagar, who declares me to be a “perfect lady,” and who has more than once ventured the _treasonable remark_, that “if all de Free State folks is like Miss Rose, she’ll be boun’ she’d like to live thar!” Regularly each morning she comes to me and asks “what Miss would like for dinner,” and regularly each morning “Miss” answers, “Dear me, Hagar, I don’t know; get what you like:” feeling confident the while that the programme is already made out and that any material suggestion from me would be superfluous. So much for mistress and slave.