“No, no, he should not. I hold with the Koran and ‘never awaken a sleeper’ unless, indeed, the occasion is sufficiently important, which it was not this morning,” said Mr. Cleve as they all sat down to breakfast.
Mrs. Pole came in, convoyed by Hatty, who had found her upstairs setting Palma’s room in order, and had taken upon herself to instruct the good old woman that “age-able ole white ladies didn’t make up no beds when there was colored young girls to do it for ’em.”
When Mrs. Pole had greeted the company and taken her seat the master of the house asked the blessing and breakfast went on.
After the morning meal was ended and the table cleared away Mr. Cleve said to Palma:
“Now, my dear, when you feel disposed call Polly to show you all over the house. And you will make any alterations you see fit, choose any rooms that you may prefer for your private apartments, and make a list of any furniture or household utensils that you may need or may like, and they shall be bought. There is a good sleigh in the carriage house. If you would like to take a drive, send Hatty to the stables to tell Josias to clean it out and harness the horses. Do whatever you like, my child.”
“Thank you, dear uncle. I wish I knew what you would like, and that I would do.”
“I would like you to be happy, my child.”
“Very well, then; thank you, uncle, I will,” exclaimed Palma with a light laugh as she danced out of the room and tripped upstairs to her own chamber to begin the work of unpacking and putting away her own and her husband’s wardrobe, in which she was to be assisted by Mrs. Pole, who soon entered the room.
Never in her life had Palma been so happy, so lighthearted, so contented with the present, so careless of the future. Even in her bridal days, sickness and the shadow of death had been about her and had sobered, if it had not darkened her delight. But now every cloud was lifted; the present was full of joy, the future full of glad promise, and her own soul overflowing with thankfulness to the Lord.
Mrs. Pole was almost equally enchanted.