Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love Page A

always come home again.”
    He held the fork up to the light, his expression suddenly pensive. “I have thought about leaving the army, but military life is all I know.”
    “We have plenty of time to decide. For now, let’s enjoy Christmas.”
    We dressed and went downstairs to exchange gifts with Mother and Papa. There was the usual assortment of books and scarves and sweets. By seven o’clock the servants had gathered in the yard, calling out, “Christmas gift!” and we went out to greet them. Papa handed out loaves of sugar and bottles of vanilla, bolts of cloth, and pouches of tobacco.
    Selina rushed up and threw herself at my knees. “Christmas gift, Miss Mary!”
    I handed her the things I had chosen for her—a book of stories, a bag of candies, a length of pink ribbon.
    Her eyes lit up. “I was hoping for a new book. I already read everything Missus give me to read.”
    “I thought you would be pleased. And the pink ribbon matches your dress.”
    Selina nodded, her expression solemn. “About to outgrow this old dress, though. Mauma said I growed two inches this year.”
    “I thought you looked taller.”
    She laughed. “You don’t look taller. You look just the same.”
    Then Daniel’s young son ran to Robert. “Christmas gift!”
    Robert pretended to search his pockets. “Let me see, young fellow. I’m sure I put something for you somewhere. Oh, here it is. Do you know a boy who would like a silver whistle?”
    “Me!”
    Robert handed it over. “Try not to drive your father to distraction with it.”
    The boy ran to find Daniel. The rest of the servants, old and young, mingled in the yard, exclaiming over their gifts and taking turns thanking us for their treasures.
    “Selina?” I put a hand on her shoulder. “I have some news for you.”
    She looked up, the expression on her round little face instantly wary. “Good news or bad news?”
    “Oh, I think it is very good news. Missus wants to teach you to look after the house.”
    “This house?”
    “Yes. She has chosen you because you are smart and helpful.”
    “Oh.”
    “What’s the matter?”
    Selina popped a piece of candy into her mouth and spoke around it. “Nothin’, Miss Mary. Whatever Missus want, I got to do.”
    “Well, you won’t have to stop your lessons, if that is your concern.”
    “I got to go.”
    Robert saw our exchange and watched her disappear around the corner of the house. “What was that about?”
    “Selina is not pleased about becoming a housekeeper.”
    “And you are unhappy because she is.”
    “I suppose.”
    “I love your tender heart, Mary. But she must learn to be useful.”
    “I don’t disagree. But—”
    “She is still a child. In time she will come to accept what is required of her. As we all must, black and white.”
    After Papa’s usual Christmas prayer, the servants dispersed. We went inside for our own morning prayers, followed by breakfast. Robert regaled my parents with stories of his exploits at West Point and at Cockspur Island. He was so entertaining that we tarried too long at table and were nearly late for church. And for once, the cause of our tardiness was not laid at my door.
    In the late afternoon Christmas dinner was served, the usual feast of turkey, vegetables, and cake. Afterward Papa retired to his writing and Mother to her knitting. Robert and I bundled into our coats and took a long walk in the Arlington wood, pausing to examine a wild holly bush bright with red berries and a shallow pond rimmed with a thin coating of ice. Wild creatures rustled in the undergrowth as we walked along. The faint shouts of children playing in the yard of the Syphax cottage echoed through the trees. Five years had passed since Papa had given Maria Syphax her freedom and seventeen acres of land. It had caused a commotion in the quarters and raised more than a few eyebrows, but I had given it little thought. Papa loved surprising others with his unexpected generosity. The children rounded the