Peggy Stewart at School | Page 9

northern-born people. And another potent fact, entirely absent from the
characteristics of the northern negro, is the fact that the southern negro
servants' "kinnery" instantly adopts and maintains the viewpoint of
those "nearest the throne." It is a survival of the old feudal system,
unknown in the cosmopolitan North, but which even in this day, so
remote from the days of slavery, makes itself very distinctly felt in
many parts of the South.
And many of the servants upon the Severndale estate had been there for
three generations. Hence Peggy was their "chile," and her joys or
sorrows, happiness or unhappiness, were theirs, and all their kin's, to be
talked over, remedied if possible, but shared if not, or made a part of

their own delight in living, as the case might demand. And the
ramifications of their kinship were amazing. No wonder the report that
"an aunt-in-law ob de yo'ng mistress yonder at Severndale, had done
come down an' ondertuck fer ter run de hull shebang an' Miss Peggy
inter de bargain, what is never been run by nobody," had circulated
throughout the whole community, and met with a resolute, though
carefully concealed opposition--subtle, intangible, but sure to prove
overwhelming in the end--the undertow, so hidden but so irresistible.
All this had stolen from one pair of lips to another and, of course, been
related with indignant emphasis to Jim Bolivar, Nelly's father, one of
the tenants of Severndale's large estate. And he, in turn, had discussed
it with Nelly, who worshipped the very ground Peggy chose to stand
upon, for to Peggy Stewart Nelly owed restored health, her home
rescued when ruin seemed about to claim everything her father owned,
and all the happiness which had come into her lonely life.
No wonder she now looked up to the deep brown eyes with her own
blue ones troubled and distressed.
CHAPTER III
HOSTILITIES SUSPENDED
During her drive into Annapolis Madam Stewart did more deep
thinking than it was generally given to her shallow brain to compass.
Like most of her type, she possessed a certain shrewdness, which
closely touched upon cunning when she wished to gain her ends, but
she had very little real cleverness, and practically no power of logical
deduction.
Today, however, she had felt antagonism enveloping her as a fog, and
would have been not a little surprised to realize that its most potent
force lay in Peggy's humble servitors rather than in Peggy herself. From
the old darkey driving her, so deferentially replying to her questions,
and at such pains to point out everything of interest along the way, she
felt it radiate with almost tangible scorn and hostility, and yet to have
saved her life she could not have said: "He is remiss in this or that."

They drove into Annapolis by the bridge which crosses the Severn just
above the Naval Hospital, and from which the whole Academy is seen
at its best, with the wide sweep of the beautiful Chesapeake beyond.
Jess pointed out everything most carefully. Then on they went across
College Creek bridge, up College Avenue, by historic old St. Ann's and
drew up at the Bank to meet Peggy. Mrs. Stewart looked about her in
undisguised disappointment and asked:
"Is this the capital city of the State of Maryland? This little town?"
Jess' mouth hardened. He loved the quaint old town and all its
traditions. So did his young mistress. It had always meant home to her,
and to many, many generations of her family before her. The old
"Peggy Stewart" house famous in history, though no longer occupied
by her own family, still stood, a landmark, in the heart of the town and
was pointed to with pride by all.
"Dis sho' is de capital city ob de State, Ma'am. Yonder de guv'nor's
mansion, jist over dar stan' de co't house, an' yonder de Cap'tal an' all
de yether 'ministrashum buildin's, an' we'all's powerful proud ob 'em."
Mrs. Stewart smiled a superior smile as she replied:
"I have heard that the South is not progressive and is perfectly apathetic
to conditions. It must be. Heavens! Look at these streets! They are
perfectly disgusting, and the odor is horrible. I shall be glad to drive
home."
"De town done been pave all mos' all new," bridled Jess. "Dis hyar
pavement de bes' ob brick. Miss Peggy done tole me ter be keerful
whar I drive yo' at, an' I tecken yo' on de very be's."
"And what, may I inquire, is your very worst then? Have you no street
cleaning department in your illustrious city?"
"We suttenly has! Dey got six men a-sweeping de hull endurin' time."
"What an overwhelming force!" and Mrs. Stewart gave way to mirth.

It was fortunate that Peggy should have arrived at that opportune
moment, for