The General and I feel like children just released from school or from a hard taskmaster....

How many dear friends I have left behind! They fill my memory with sweet thoughts.
Shall I ever see them again?
Not likely unless they come to me, for the twilight is gathering around our lives.

I am again fairly settled down to the pleasant duties of an old-fashioned Virginia-housekeeper, steady as a clock, busy as a bee, and cheerful as a cricket." That she did not overdraw her account of her industry is borne out by a Mrs.Carrington, who, with her husband, one of the General's old officers, visited Mount Vernon about this time.

She wrote: "Let us repair to the Old Lady's room, which is precisely in the style of our good old Aunt's--that is to say, nicely fixed for all sorts of work--On one side sits the chambermaid, with her knitting--on the other, a little colored pet learning to sew, an old decent woman, with her table and shears, cutting out the negroes' winter clothes, while the good old lady directs them all, incessantly knitting herself and pointing out to me several pair of nice colored stockings and gloves she had just finished, and presenting me with a pair half done, which she begs I will finish and wear for her.

Her netting too is a great source of amusement and is so neatly done that all the family are proud of trimming their dresses with it." This domestic life was dear to the heart of our Farmer's wife, yet the home-coming did not fail to awaken some melancholy memories.