The Man of the Family
A Novel (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Man of the Family: A Novel<br><br>"A fine plantation," observed the new-comer to himself, as his glance passed over the fields of cane in the immediate neighborhood; "and well kept up, considering that it is in the hands of a woman. Hum-hum! The money will not be badly invested. Interest for ten years, and at last - this! But who comes here"<br><br>The figure on which his eye had suddenly fallen was advancing towards the house from the direction of the sugar-mill, which stood at one side, perhaps a quarter of a mile distant - a slim, straight feminine figure, dressed in a dark skirt and light shirt-waist, with an immensely broad-brimmed shade hat, such as the laborers throughout the country wore. Under this hat, as its wearer drew nearer, he perceived the delicate-featured face of a girl, whose dark eyes regarded him with anything but a look of welcome. They met in the middle of the lawn, and he lifted his hat in salutation.<br><br>"How do you do, Miss Yvonne" he said, with an ease of manner for which there seemed scant warrant. "I see that you are busy, as usual, overlooking things. Quite the 'man of the family' - ha, ha! I've often said that your business qualities are most remarkable - for a young lady. I hope your mother is well"<br><br>"Is my mother expecting you" asked the young lady.<br><br>"N - o," with a little hesitation. "I have taken the liberty of coming without notifying her.<br><br>About the Publisher<br><br>Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com<br><br>This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.