"And _do_ don’t break your neck on those old stones, Mrs. Winchester. You see, we of the old South live in a continuous state of decay. But we don’t mind it now. We have gotten used to it. If you will believe me, it didn’t even make me jealous to see the prosperity of those Yankees up North. I kept saying to myself all the time, ’But _we_ have got the blood!’"
As they entered the massive hall, cool and dim, the first thing which struck the eye was a large family tree, framed in black walnut, hanging on one side of the wall, while on the other was a highly coloured coat of arms of the Yanceys, also framed and under glass.
Miss Yancey took off her duster and hung it on the hat-rack.
"Now, welcome to Whitehall! Will you come into the parlour and rest awhile, or would you like to go to your rooms and lie down before supper? I want you to feel perfectly at home, and do just as you please."
"I think we will go to our rooms, please," said Mrs. Winchester, with one glance into Carolina’s pale, tired face.
"Here, you Jake! Carry those satchels to Mrs. Winchester’s room, and, Lily, take these things and go help the ladies. And mind you let me know if they want anything."
A few moments afterward, Lily, the negro maid, came hurrying down-stairs, her eyes rolling.
"Laws, Miss Sue! Dey wants a bath! Dey axed me where wuz de bathroom, en I sez, ’Ev’ry room is a bathroom while y’all is takin’ a bath in it.’ En Miss Sue, Miss Calline, she busted right out laffin’."
"They want a bath?" cried Miss Sue. "Well, go tell Angeline to heat some water quick, and you fill this pitcher and take it up to them. But mind that you wash it out first,--if you don’t, you’ll hear from me,--and don’t be all day about it. Now, see if you can hurry, Lily."
When the sun went down, the oppressive quality in the heat seemed to disappear, and when Cousin Lois and Carolina came down in their cool, thin dresses, they found themselves in the midst of the most delightful part of a Southern summer day.
Miss Sue was nowhere to be seen, but another lady, as thin as she was fat, came out of the dimness and introduced herself.
"I am Mrs. Elliott Pringle, ladies, though you will nearly always hear me called Miss Sallie Yancey. Sister Sue is out in the garden. Shall we join her? I know she wants you to see her roses."