Craig, is it true that you own, a mansion called Paigecourt near Richmond ?" "I do." "It was your father's house ?" "It was my father's home befo' he was married." "Oh.

Who owns your father's house--the one he lived in after he was married ?" "Mrs.Paige." "She is your sister-in-law?
Your brother inherited this house?
And it is called Marye Mead, isn't it ?" "Yes." "It is not occupied ?" "No." "Is Paigecourt--your own house--ah--occupied ?" "It is." "By an overseer ?" "By a housekeeper.

The overseer occupies his own quarters." "I see.

So you hold slaves." "There are negroes on the plantations.

Mr.Paige, my father, freed his slaves befo' I was married." The man looked surprised and incredulous.
"How did your father come to do that?
I never heard of a Southern slave owner voluntarily freeing his slaves." "A number of gentlemen have done so, at va'ious times, and fo' va'ious reasons," said Celia quietly.