Miss Janet, who was considered a kind of oracle when personal memories of Washington were concerned, answered after a moment’s pause, “I have seen him smile often, I never saw him laugh but once.  He rode over, one afternoon, to see a relative with whom I was staying; it was a dark, cloudy day, in November; a brisk wood fire was very agreeable.  After some little conversation on ordinary topics, the gentlemen discussed the politics of the times, Washington saying little, but listening attentively to others.

“The door opened suddenly, and a son of my relative entered, in a noisy bustling manner.  Passing the gentlemen with a nod, he turned his back to the fire, putting his hands behind him.  ‘Father,’ said he, scarcely waiting until the sentence that General Washington was uttering, was finished, ‘what do you think?  Uncle Jack and I shot a duck in the head!’ He deserved a reproof for his forwardness; but Washington joined the rest in a laugh, no doubt amused at the estimation in which the youth held himself and Uncle Jack.  The two together, killed a duck, and the boy was boasting of it in the presence of the greatest man the world ever produced.  The poor fellow left the room, and for a time his sporting talents were joked about more than he liked.”

After the ladies retired, Mr. Selden proposed the health of the amiable George Washington.

“Good heavens! sir,” said Mr. Chapman, the veins in his temples swelling, and his whole frame glowing with vexation, “what is that you say?  Did ever any one hear of a soldier being amiable?  No, sir, I will give you a toast that was drank just before the death of the greatest and best of men.  I picked up an old newspaper, and laid it aside in my secretary.  In it I read a toast worth giving.  Fill high, gentlemen—­’The man who forgets the services of George Washington, may he be forgotten by his country and his God.’”

Mr. Selden, who possessed in a remarkable degree the amiableness that he had ascribed to another, swallowed the wine and approved the toast.  Mr. Chapman was some time recovering his composure.

“You intend to leave Virginia very soon, Mr. Lee,” said Mr. Kent, addressing Walter.

“Very soon, sir,” Walter replied.

“Where shall you go first?” asked Mr. Kent.

“I have not decided on any course of travel,” said Walter.  “I shall, perhaps, wander toward Germany.”

“We will drink your health, then,” said Mr. Weston.  “A pleasant tour, Walter, and a safe return.”

* * * * *

“You are from Connecticut, I believe, Mr. Perkins?” said Mr. Barbour, “but as you are not an Abolitionist, I suppose it will not be uncourteous to discuss the subject before you.  I have in my memorandum book a copy of a law of your State, which was in existence at one time, and which refers to what we have been conversing about.  It supports the Fugitive Slave Law, in prospect.  At that time you New Englanders