He was desirous of having it ended in the States; they were clamorous to have it established in the Territories.
But so strong was the force of habit, combined with the feebleness of his moral resistance and the nature of his environment, that instead of being an athlete, armed for a glorious strife, he had learned to drift where he should have steered, to float with the current instead of nobly breasting the tide.

He conducted his plantation with as much lenity as it was possible to infuse into a system darkened with the shadow of a million crimes.
Leroy had always been especially careful not to allow his children to spend their vacations at home.

He and Marie generally spent that time with them at some summer resort.
"I would like," said Marie, one day, "to have our children spend their vacations at home.

Those summer resorts are pleasant, yet, after all, there is no place like home.

But," and her voice became tremulous, "our children would now notice their social isolation and inquire the cause." A faint sigh arose to the lips of Leroy, as she added: "Man is a social being; I've known it to my sorrow." There was a tone of sadness in Leroy's voice, as he replied: "Yes, Marie, let them stay North.