My mother is going to
write and ask your mothers if they will give me the pleasure of your
company."
"I am sure I can come," declared Grace, "and I think it's lovely of you
to ask me."
"You'll come, won't you, Sylvia?" said Flora, putting her arm over the
little girl's shoulders as they went up the steps.
"Yes, indeed; thank you very much for asking me," replied Sylvia. She
had visited the Hayes plantation early in the summer, and thought it a
more wonderful place even than the big mansion on Tradd Street where the
Hayes family lived in the winter months. Mr. Hayes owned hundreds of
negroes, and raised a great quantity of cotton. The house at the
plantation was large, with many balconies, and cool, pleasant rooms.
Flora had a pair of white ponies, and there were pigeons, and a number
of dogs. Sylvia was sure that it would be a beautiful visit, especially
as Grace would be there.
As she went smilingly toward her seat in the schoolroom she passed
Elinor Mayhew, who was already seated.
"Yankee!" whispered Elinor sharply, looking at her with scornful eyes.
But Sylvia, remembering that her father had said that all Americans were
Yankees, nodded to the older girl and responded: "Yankee your-self!"
CHAPTER III
SYLVIA IN TROUBLE
The Hayes plantation was about ten miles distant from Charleston, on the
opposite side of the Ashley River. Flora told Sylvia and Grace that the
Hayes coachman would drive them out, and that they would start early on
Saturday morning.
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