“Not quite,” replied his father. “Some two years after the war was over he removed to a plantation which the State of Georgia had presented to him, doubtless in acknowledgment of his great services there in ridding them of British tyranny. He is said to have lived there very happily, with a good wife and many congenial friends, in spite of having, through the dishonesty of an army contractor for whom he had become security, to bear a heavy pecuniary responsibility. He did not live to be old, dying at the age of forty-four from sunstroke.”
“What a pity!” exclaimed Elsie. “Had he any children, papa?”
“Yes; two sons and three daughters.”
“I think they must have been very proud of their father,” she said, after a moment’s thoughtful silence. “Thank you, papa, for telling us about him. I’d like to know about all my countrymen who have been great and good and useful.”
“As we all would,” added Lucilla; “and we may be thankful that we have a father who is able and kind enough to tell us so much.”
“Yes, indeed!” responded Elsie earnestly, and with a loving look up into her father’s eyes. “I thank him very much, and hope I shall never forget the good history lessons he has given us.”
“And now it is time for my birdlings to go to their nests,” said Violet, rising and taking Ned’s hand. “Bid good-night to papa and the rest and we will go.”