“Can’t you get into their fool heads that an alliance with the Republican party is the last way on earth for them to go about their Sub-Treasury schemes?” “Can’t seem to do a thing with them. McLeod’s stuffed them full. I’m sick of it. I’ve a notion to let them go with the niggers and go to the devil. It’s growing on me that there must be another way out. I can’t get down in the dirt and prostitute my intellect and lie to these fools. We’ve got to get rid of the Negro.” “A large job, old man.” “Yes, it is, and thank God I’m done with it for a week. I’m going to heaven now for a few days. I ’ll see her in an hour. I rise on tireless wings!” “Look out you don’t come down too suddenly. The earth may feel hard.” “Bob, I’m going to risk it. I’m going to look fate squarely in the face and get my answer like a little man, for life or death.” Mrs. Worth met Gaston and greeted him with warmest cordiality. “We are charmed to welcome you to Oakwood again, Mr. Gaston.” “I assure you, Mrs. Worth, I never saw a home so beautiful. I feel as though I am in paradise when I get here.” “I hope to see more of you this time, I feel that I know you so much better since our talk at the Springs.” “Thank you, Mrs. Worth.” He said this so simply and earnestly she could but feel his deep appreciation of her attitude of welcome. “Sallie will be down in a minute.” Gaston smiled in spite of himself. “What are you laughing at?” “I was just thinking how sweetly her name sounded on your lips.” “Do you like these old-fashioned Southern names?” “I think they are lovely.” “Well, that’s my name too.” Sallie suddenly stepped from the hall into the doorway. “Now, Mama, there you are again carrying on with one of my beaux! I don’t know what I will do with you!” Mrs. Worth actually blushed, sprang up and struck Sallie lightly on the arm with her fan exclaiming, “Oh! you sly thing, to stand out there and listen to what I said! Mr. Gaston I turn her over to you to punish her for such conduct.” “Isn’t she a dear?” said Sallie when her mother was gone. “I was charmed with her at the Springs, but the gracious way she made me feel at home this morning completely won my heart.” “I can do anything with Mama. She’s the dearest mother that ever lived. She always seems to know intuitively my heart’s wish, and, if it’s best, give it to me, and if it’s not, she makes me cease to desire it. I wish I could manage Papa as easily.” “I’m sure he idolises you, Miss Sallie.” “He does, but when he lays the law down, that settles it. I can’t move him one inch.” “That’s the way with forceful men, who do things in the world.” “Well, I confess I like to have my own way sometimes. I wonder if you are like that?” “I ’ll be frank with you. Somehow I never could be anything else if I tried. I don’t think a man of strong character will yield to every whim of a woman, whether wife or daughter.”