please and make yourselves thoroughly it home."
As there was no good hotel in the town, this invitation relieved Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning a great deal, and they said they would accept the offer, and thanked the young man very much. Carriages were obtained, and inside of two hours the ladies and the girls were at Lee Hall, as Harold Bird called his place. There were rooms in plenty for all, and each was made to feel perfectly at home. It was decided that Aleck Pop should also remain at the plantation for the time being.
"The hospitality in the South is certainly marvelous," said Dora to Dick. "When I left home I never thought I should be treated so well."
"You are right, Dora. The whole world over, you will find no greater gentleman than one from our South."
"And what a beautiful plantation!" cried Nellie. "What grand walks, and trees and flowers!"
"And what a fine lot of colored servants," came from Grace. "Really they won't let me do a thing for myself!"
"I should think Mr. Bird would be very happy," said Mrs. Laning, for at that moment the owner of the estate was not present.
"You'd think so," answered Dick. "But do
