"
They had turned in at the great gates leading into the avenue, and
presently Elsie, glancing eagerly toward the house, exclaimed with
delight, "Ah, there is mammy on the veranda! watching for our coming, no
doubt. She knew we were expected at Fairview yesterday, and that I would
not be long in finding my way to Ion."
Evelyn, looking out also, perceived a bent and shriveled form, seated in
an arm-chair, leaning forward, its two dusky hands clasping a stout cane,
and its chin resting on the top.
As the carriage drew up before the entrance, the figure rose slowly and
stiffly, and with the aid of the cane hobbled across the veranda to meet
them.
"Bress de Lawd!" it cried, in accents tremulous with age and excitement,
"it's one ob my chillens, sho' nuff; it's Miss Elsie!"
"Yes, mammy, it is I; and very glad I am to see you," responded Mrs.
Leland, hurrying up the veranda steps and throwing Her arms about the
feeble, trembling form.
"Poor old mammy," she said, tenderly; "you are not so strong as you used
to be."
"No, darlin', yo' ole mammy's mos' at de brink ob de riber; de cold
watahs ob Jordan soon be creepin' up roun' her ole feet.
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