Wilson and Richards will act as my
lieutenants. We have nothing to do outside, and can devote ourselves
to getting things a little straight here. The first thing to do
is to light lamps in all the lower rooms; then we can see what we
are doing, and the ladies will be able to give us their help, while
the men go out with the servants to bring things in; and remember
the first thing to do is to bring in the horses. They may be useful
to us. There is a good store of forage piled in the corner of the
yard, but the syces had best bring in as much more as they can
carry. Now, ladies, if you will all bring your bundles inside the
house we will set about arranging things, and at any rate get the
children into bed as quickly as possible."
As it had been already settled as to the rooms to be occupied, the
ladies and their ayahs set to work at once, glad to have something
to employ them. One of the rooms which had been fitted up with beds
had been devoted to the purposes of a nursery, and the children,
most of whom were still asleep, were soon settled there. Two other
rooms had been fitted up for the use of the ladies, while the men
were occupying two others, the courtroom being turned into a general
meeting and dining room.
At first there was not much to do; but as the servants, closely
watched by their masters, went backwards and forwards bringing
in goods of all kinds, there was plenty of employment in carrying
them down to a large underground room, where they were left to be
sorted later on.
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