CHAPTER XIII.
Solon had an exciting tale to tell in the kitchen while he gave his horses a brief rest before returning to Roselands for the remaining members of the family.
It was listened to with intense interest, and many ejaculations of astonishment at the sudden fall of the tree and of thankfulness that no one was hurt.
“My!” exclaimed the cook, “it would ’a’ been a’ awful thing if Miss Elsie been ’long and got killed wid dat tree a-fallin’ onto her.”
“Yes, tank de good Lord dat she wasn’t dar,” said Solon; “but I reckon she’d mos’ rather be killed her own self dan have such ting happen to Marse Edward an’ Miss Zoe and de babies.”
“Course,” put in another servant; “Miss Elsie she’s got de kindest heart in de world, and she loves her chillen and gran’chillen better’n her own life.”
“I reckon dat’s so; but I must be goin’ back after Miss Elsie and de res’,” said Solon, picking up his hat and putting it on as he passed out into the grounds.
His story caused great excitement at Roselands, and the whole Ion family, with their guests, hastened home in anxiety to hear the version of the story Edward and Herbert would give, and to learn what had been the effect of the fright upon Zoe and the babies.
Solon’s report was: “Miss Zoe she scared most to deff, and Mr. Ed’ard he huggin’ her up, and comfortin’ her all de way home; an’ she’s afraid of de trees on de lawn at Ion, les’ dey falls suddent—like de one in de woods—and kill somebody. But Mr. Ed’ard he tells her to trust in de Lawd, an’ she needn’t be ’fraid ob nothin’.”
“And the babies, Solon?” asked Rosie; “weren’t they frightened almost into fits?”