The negro lifted his hat and bowed:
“Ah, we are delighted to welcome you, Miss Stoneman, to our land! Your father asked me to call immediately on his arrival. I have but obeyed his orders.”
Elsie shrank from the familiarity of his manner and the tones of authority and patronage with which he spoke.
“He cannot be seen at this hour,” she answered shortly.
“Perhaps you will present my card, then—say that I am at his service, and let him appoint the time at which I shall return?”
She did not invite him in, but with easy assurance he took his seat on the joggle-board beside the door and awaited her return.
Against her urgent protest, Stoneman ordered Lynch to be shown at once to his bedroom.
When the door was closed, the old Commoner, without turning to greet his visitor or moving his position in bed, asked:
“Are you following my instructions?”
“To the letter, sir.”