The Masons gathered up their flock and drove home immediately afterward, Mr. Jettson going with them, and the others were to follow the next day.
"There wasn't much fun at grandpapa's, except on Christmas Eve," declared Varina. "Archie Floyd thinks he owns the whole world. If grandpapa should die they will come there to live, and Uncle Brandon own the slaves and everything."
"Children must not discuss such matters," said her father rather peremptorily.
"But Archie said—"
"No matter about Archie."
Varina frowned and twitched her shoulders.
"Papa," said Charles after a pause, "shall you leave the plantation and everything to Louis because he is the oldest?"
"My son, I warn you that I shall live a long, long while. You will all have a chance to make your own fortunes and marry and have homes of your own. So don't trouble about any such foolishness. And you are all too young to consider the point."
"But people do in England."
"We are not in England," commented his father dryly.