But in this case the mistress was evidently held in check.
A knock on the head sometimes, a kick or a cross word, was the
greatest severity she ventured to inflict; so that, upon the whole,
the new home was a pleasant and happy one.
The services Tidy was required to render were a perfect delight to her.
Like all children, she liked to be associated with those of her
own age, and, though called a slave, to all intents and purposes
she was received as the playmate and companion of Amelia
and Susan. They were good-natured, agreeable little girls,
and it was a pleasure rather than a task to walk to and
from school, and carry their books and dinner-basket for them.
And to go into the play-house, and have the handling of the dolls,
the tea-sets, and toys, was employment as charming as it was new.
The nursery was in the cabin of Mammy Grace, which was situated
a few steps from the family mansion, and was distinguished from
the log-huts of the other slaves, by having brick walls and two rooms.
The inner room contained the baby's cradle, a crib for the little
one who had not yet outgrown his noon-day nap, her own bed,
and now a cot for Tidy. In the outer stood the spinning-wheel,--at
which the old nurse wrought when not occupied with the children,--
a small table, an old chest of drawers, and a few rude chairs.
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