Mama was cheerful and able to be around and about as usual. Anthony Wayne was there, visiting, lifting her spirits. The house was in order, and Pa, having inspected the gardens, immediately pronounced them "delightful." That very afternoon, while Pa and General Wayne were out tramping about, George, Nat, and I sat with Mama by the window that overlooked the Savannah River and told her about our trip and the land where our summer retreat would someday be. "And we've all picked out our rooms already," Nat told her. "Cornelia's is on the fourth floor. In the tower." I wished he hadn't said that, because Martha was playing the piano across the room, softly, even as we spoke. She stopped abruptly when she heard that. "Not fair," she said. "I didn't get a chance because I wasn't there. Maybe I would have wanted that room. I am, after all, the oldest girl!" And she dashed out of the parlor angrily. Later, we had a welcoming-home supper and Martha did not come to table. "Where is she?" Pa asked.
