"Shedidcall，yousee。Shekeptherword。Itwaskindofher，wasn’tit？"
　　Isatdownintherockingchairbythewindow。
　　"Well，"Iasked，afteramoment，"whatdidshesay？Didshecondescendtopityherpauperneighbors？"
　　"Roscoe！"
　　"DidsheexpresshorrifiedsympathyandoffertocallyourcasetotheattentionofhercousininchargeofthePoorWardintheCityGeneralHospital，likethatwomanfromtheHarnisshotellastsummer？"
　　"Boy！Howcanyou！"
　　"Oh，well；Iamajealousbeast，Mother；Iadmitit。ButIhavenotbeenabletobringyouflowerslikethatanditgallsmetothinkthatotherscan。Theydon’tdeservetohaveallthebeautifulthingsinlife，whiletherestofushavenone。"
　　"Butitisn’therfaultthatshehasthem，isit？Anditwaskindtosharethemwithus。"
　　"Isupposeso。Well，whatdidshesaytoyou？Dorindasaysshewaswithyounearlyanhour。Whatdidyouandshetalkabout？Shedidnotoffercharity，didshe？"
　　"DoyouthinkIshouldhaveacceptedit，ifshehad？Roscoe，I
　　haveneverseenyousoprejudicedasyouareagainstournewneighbors。Itdoesn’tseemlikeyou，atall。AndifherfatherandmotherarelikeMissMabel，youareverywrong。Ilikeherverymuch。"
　　"Youwouldtrytolikeanyone，Mother。"
　　"Ididnothavetotrytolikeher。AndIwasalittleprejudiced，too，atfirst。Shewassowealthy，andanonlychild；Ifearedshemightbeconceitedandspoiled。Butsheisn’t。"
　　"Notconceited！Humph！"
　　"No，notreally。Atfirstsheseemedatrifledistant，andI
　　thoughtherhaughty；but，afterward，whenherstrangenessandconstrainthadwornaway，shewassimpleandunaffectedanddelightful。Andsheisverypretty，isn’tshe。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Shetoldmeagreatdealaboutherself。ShehasbeenthroughVassarandhastraveledagreatdeal。Thisisthefirstsummersincehergraduationwhichshehasnotspentabroad。SheandI
　　talkedofRomeandFlorence。I——ItoldherofthemonthIspentinItalywhenyouwereababy，Roscoe。"
　　"Youdidnottellheranythingmore，Mother？Anythingsheshouldnotknow？"
　　"Boy！"reproachfully。
　　"Pardonme，Mother。Ofcourseyoudidn’t。Didshetellyouwhyshecalledonus——onyou，Imean？"
　　"Yes，inaway。Iimagine——thoughshedidnotsayso——thatyouareresponsibleforthat。SheandNellieDeanseemtobewellacquainted，almostfriendly，whichisodd，forIcanscarcelythinkoftwogirlsmoredifferent。ButshelikesNellie，thatisevident，andNellieandGeorgehavetoldheraboutyouandme。"
　　"Isee。Andsoshewascuriousconcerningtheinterestinginvalid。
　　Probablyanythingevenmildlyinterestingisagodsendtoher，downhere。DidshementiontheShoreLanerumpus？"
　　"Yes。AlthoughImentioneditfirst。Itwasplainthatshecouldnotunderstandyourpositioninthematter，Roscoe，andIexplaineditaswellasIcould。ItoldherthatyoufelttheLanewasanecessitytothetownspeople，andthat，underthecircumstances，youcouldnotsell。Itoldherhowdeeplyyousympathizedwithhermother——"
　　"Didyoutellherthat？"
　　"Why，yes。Itistrue，isn’tit？"
　　"Humph！Mildlyso，maybe。Whatmoredidshesay？"
　　"Shesaidshethoughtsheunderstoodbetternow。Itoldheraboutyou，Boy，andwhatagoodsonyouhadbeentome。Howyouhadsacrificedyourfutureandyourcareerformysake。OfcourseI
　　couldnotgointoparticulars，atall，butwetalkedagreatdealaboutyou，Roscoe。"
　　"Thatmusthavebeendeliriouslyinteresting——toher。"
　　"Ithinkitwas。Shetoldmeofyourhelpingherhomethroughthestorm，andofsomethingelseyouhadnottoldme，Boy：ofyourbringingherandMr。Carverofftheflatintheboatthatday。Whydidyoukeepthatasecret？"
　　"Itwasnotworthtelling。"
　　"Shethoughtitwas。Shelaughedaboutit；saidyouhandledtheaffairinamostbusinesslikeandunsentimentalway；sheneverfeltmorelikeabundleofdry—goodsinherlife，butthatthatappearedtobeyourmannerofhandlingpeople。Itwasasomewhatstartlingmanner，butveryeffective，shesaid。Idon’tknowwhatshemeantbythat。"
　　Iknew，butIdidnotexplain。
　　"Youdon’tmeantosay，Mother，thatyouglorifiedmetoherforanhour？"Idemanded。
　　"No，indeed。Wetalkedofeversomanythings。Ofbooks，andpictures，andmusic。I’mafraidIwasratherwearisome。Itseemedsogoodtohavesomeone——exceptyou，ofcourse，dear——todiscusssuchsubjectswith。Mostofmycallersarenotinterestedinthem。"
　　Iwassilent。
　　"Sheiscomingagain，shesays，"continuedMother。"Shehassomenewbookssheisgoingtolendme。Youmustreadthemtome。Andaren’tthoseroseswonderful？Shepickedthem，herself，intheirconservatory。Itoldherhowfondyouwereofflowers。"
　　IjudgedthattheyoungladymusthavegoneawaywiththeideathatIwasacombinationoflongshoreloutandeffeminatedilettante，withthefinancialresourcesoftheformer。Shemightaswellhavethatideaasanyother，Isupposed，but，inhereyes，Imustbemoreofafreakthanever。Ishouldtakecaretokeepoutofthesightofthoseeyesasmuchaspossible。Butthatthemillionaire’sdaughterhadmadeahitontheoccasionofherfirstcallwasplain。
　　NotonlyhadMotherbeenfavorablyimpressed，buteventhepracticalandunromanticDorinda’sshellwasdented。Shedeignedtoobservethattheyoungladyseemedtohave"consider’blecommon—sense，considerin’herbringin’up。"This，fromDorinda，washighpraise，andIwonderedwhatthecallerhadsaidordonetowinsuchatriumph。Lutemadethematterclear。
　　"Bytime！"hesaid，whenheandIweretogether，"thatgirl’sasmartone。I’dgivesomethin’tohaveherkindofsmartness。
　　Dorindywasterriblecrankyallthetimeshewasinyourma’sroomandIdidn’tknowwhatwouldhappenwhenshecomeout。Butthefustthingshedonewhenshecomeoutwastolookaroundthedinin’
　　roomandsay，’Oh！whatapleasant，homeyplace！Andsoclean！
　　Why，itisperfectlyspotless！’Landsakes！theoldladythawedoutlikeacranberryboginApril。Afterthattheytalkedabouthousekeepin’andcookin’andsuch，sociableascouldbe。Dorindy’sgoin’togiveherherreceiptfordoughnutsnexttimeshecomes。
　　AndIbetthatgirlnevercookedadoughnutinherlifeoreverwill。IfIcouldthinkoftherightthingtosay，likethat，’twouldsavememore’noneear—ache。ButIneverdothinkofittillthenextday，andthenit’stoolate。"
　　Heborrowedmytobacco，filledhispipe，andcontinued：
　　"Say，Ros，"heasked，"what’syourideaofwhatmadehercomehere？"
　　"ToseeMother，ofcourse，"Ianswered。
　　"That’syournotion，isit？"
　　"Certainly。Whatelse？"
　　"Humph！There’sothersickfolksintown。Whydon’tshegotoseethem？"
　　"Perhapsshedoes。Idon’tknow。"
　　"Ibetyoutencentsshedon’t。No，I’vebeenreasonin’ofitout，sameasIgen’rallydo，andI’vegotsomenotionsofmyown。Youdon’tcal’lateherpasentherso’stosortofsoftsoaparoundtowardhisgettin’theShoreLane？Youdon’tcal’late’twaspartofthatgame，doyou？"
　　Thatsuppositionhadcrossedmymindmorethanonce。IwasashamedofitandnowIdeniedit，indignantly。
　　"Ofcoursenot，"Ianswered。
　　"Well，Idon’tthinkso，myself。Butif’tain’tthatit’sanotherreason。ShemaybeinterestedinComfort；Idon’tsaysheain’t；
　　butthatain’tallshe’sinterestedin。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Nevermind。Iain’tsaidnothin’。I’mjustwaitin’tosee，that’sall。Ihavehadsomeexperienceinthisworld，Ihave。
　　There’sdifferenttimescomin’forthisfamily，yousetthatdowninyourlog—book，RosPaine。"
　　"Lookhere，Lute；ifyouarehintingthatMissColtonorherpeopleintendofferinguscharity——"
　　"Whosaidanythingaboutcharity？No；ifshehadthatideeinherhead，hertalkwithyourmawoulddriveitout。’Tain’tcharity，I
　　ain’tsayin’what’tis……Iwonderhow’twouldseemtoberich。"
　　"Lute，you’regrowingmorefoolisheveryday。"
　　"SoDorindysays；butshenoryouain’tofferednoproofyet。Allright，youwaitandsee。Andsay，Ros，don’tmentionourtalktoDorindy。She’smore’nextrydownonmejustnow，andifIbreathethatMabelColton’snameshehopsrightupintheair。How’dI
　　knowthataskin’ifawomanwho’sbeensickinbedsixyearormorewas’in’meantcouldshehavefolkscometoseeher？"
　　MotherwouldhavediscussedtheColtonswithmefrequently，butI
　　avoidedthesubjectasmuchaspossible。Thepromisedbooksarrived——broughtoverbyJohnson，thebutler，whoviewedourhumblequarterswithloftydisdain——andIreadoneofthemaloudtoMother，achaptereachevening。Moreflowerscamealsoandthedarkenedbedroombecameabowerofbeautyandperfume。IfIhadyieldedtomyownwishesIshouldhavereturnedbothrosesandbooks。Itwasbetter，asIsawit，thatweandourwealthyneighborshadnothingtodowitheachother。Realfriendshipwasoutofthequestion；thememoryofMrs。Colton’sfrigidbowandherreferencetomeasa"person"provedthat。Herdaughtermightthinkotherwise，ormightthinkthatshethoughtso，butIknewbetter。However，IdidnotliketopainMotherbyrefusingofferingswhich，toher，wereexpressionsofsympathyandregard，soIhadnoprotestandtriedtoenthuseoverthegiftsandloans。
　　Afterall，whatdidtheyamountto？Onetea—rosebredfromDorinda’scarefullytendedbush，oronegushfulstorybookselectedbyAlmenaDoanefromthenewadditionstothetownlibraryandsentbecauseshethought"Mrs。Comfortmightfinditsortofsoothin’
　　anddistractin’，"meantmorerealunselfishthoughtandkindlyfeelingthanalltheconservatoryexoticsandnewnovelswhichtherichgirl’swhimsuppliedfromheroverflowingstore。Iwassurprisedonlythatthewhimlastedsolong。
　　Behindallthis，Ithink，andconfirmingmyfeeling，wasthefactthatMissColtondidnotrepeathercall。Aweekormorepassedandshedidnotcome。Icaughtglimpsesofheroccasionallyintheauto，oratthepost—office，butItookcarethatsheshouldnotseeme。Ididnotwishtobeseen，thoughpreciselywhyIcouldnothaveexplainedeventomyself。Thememoryofthatnightintherain，andofourmeetingsinthegrove，troubledmebecauseIcouldnotkeepthemfrommymind。Theykeptrecurring，nomatterwhatI
　　didorwhereIwent。No，Ididnotwanttomeetheragain。
　　Somehow，thesightandmemoryofhermadememoredissatisfiedanddiscontentedthanever。Ifoundmyselfmoodilywishingforthingsbeyondmyreach，longingtobesomethingmorethanIwas——morethanthenobodywhichIknewImustalwaysbe。IrememberedmyfeelingsonthemorningofthedaywhenIfirstsawher。Nowtheyseemedalmostlikepremonitions。
　　Ikeptaway；notonlyfromher，butfromGeorgeTaylorandCaptainDeanandthetownspeople。Iwenttothevillagescarcelyatall。
　　SimEldredge，whohadevidentlyreceivedordersfromheadquarterstodroptheLane"agency，"troubledmenomore，merelygloweringreproachfullywhenwemet；andAlvinBaker，whosenotehadbeenrenewed，althoughhehailedmewitheffusivecordiality，didnotpresshissocietyuponme，havingnoaxetogrindatpresent。ZebKendrickwasusingtheLaneagain，buthetookcaretobringnomore"billiardroomers"aspassengers。IhadasyetheardnothingfrommyquarrelwithTimHallet。
　　IspentagooddealofmytimeintheComfort，orwanderingabouttheshoreandinthewoods。Onewarm，cloudymorningthenotionseizedmetogouptothepondsandtryforblackbass。Therearebassinsomeofthelargerponds——lakestheywouldbecalledanywhereelseexceptonCapeCod——and，ifoneislucky，andtheweatherisright，andthebaittempting，theymaybecaught。Thisparticularmorningpromisedtofurnishtheproperbrandofweather，andashortexcursionontheflatsprovidedasupplyofshrimpsandminnowsforbait。Dorinda，whohappenedtobeingoodhumor，putupalunchformeand，atseveno’clock，withmyrodandlandingnetintheircases，strapped，withmyfishingbootsandcoffeepot，tomyback，andmybaitpailinonehandandlunchbasketintheother，Istartedonmytramp。ItwasalongfourmilestoSeabury’sPond，mydestination，andLute，towhom，likemostcountrypeople，theideaofafour—milewalkwassheerlunacy，urgedmyharnessingthehorseanddrivingthere。ButIknewtheovergrownwoodroadsandthedifficultyofpilotingavehiclethroughthem，and，moreover，Ireallypreferredtogoafoot。SoI
　　marchedoffandlefthimprotesting。
　　Veryfewsummerpeople——andonlysummerpeopleorirresponsiblepersonslikemyselfwastetimeinfreshwaterfishingontheCape——
　　knewwhereSeabury’sPondwas。Itlayfarfrommacadamroadsandautomobilethoroughfaresanditssandyshoreswereborderedwithverdure—cladhillsshuttingitinlikethesidesofabowl。ToreachitfromDenboroonelefttheBayportroadat"BeriahHolt’splace，"followedBeriah’scowpathtothepasture，plungedintotheoakandbirchgroveatthesouthernedgeofthatpasture，emergedonagrass—grownandbush—encumberedtrackwhichhadoncebeenthewaytosomeearlysettler’shome，andhadbeenforsakenforyears，andfollowedthattrack，inallitswindings，untilhesawthegleamofwaterbetweentheupperfringeofbrushandthelowerlimbsofthetrees。Thenheleftthetrackandclambereddownthesteepslopetothepond。
　　Iamagoodwalker，butIwastiredlongbeforeIreachedtheslope。Thebaitpail，whichIrefilledwithfreshwateratBeriah’spump，grewheavierasIwenton，andIbegantothinkLuteknewwhathewastalkingaboutwhenhedeclaredmetobe"plumbcrazy，hoofin’itfourmileloadeddownwithallthatdunnage。"
　　However，whenthelong"hoof"wasover，andIsatdowninapatchof"hog—cranberry"vinesforasmoke，withthepondbeforeme，I
　　wasmeasurablyhappy。ThiswasthesortofthingIliked。HeretherewerenoShoreLanecontroversies，butrealindependenceandpeace。
　　AftermysmokewasfinishedandIhadrested，Icarriedmy"dunnage"aroundtothepointwhereIintendedtobeginmyfishing，putthelunchbasketinashadyplacebeneaththebushes，andthebaitpailinthewaternearby，changedmyshoesforthefishingboots，riggedmyrodandwasready。
　　Atfirstthefishingwasratherpoor。Thepondwasfullofperchandtheyweretroublesome。Byandby，however，Ihookedafour—
　　poundpickerelandhestirredmylaggingambition。Iwadedon，castingandplayingbeyondthelilypadsandsedge。AtlastIgotmyfirstbass，asmallone，andhadscarcelylandedhimthanabigfellowstruck，fought，roseandbrokeaway。Thatwasspursufficient。AlltheforenoonIwadedabouttheshoresofthatpond。Whenathalf—pasteleventhesuncameoutandIknewmysportwasover，forthetimeatleast，Ihadfourbass——twoofthemfineones——andtwo，pickerel。ThenIrememberedmyappetiteandDorinda’sluncheon。
　　Iwentbacktothepointandinspectedthecontentsofthebasket。
　　Sandwiches，coldchicken，eggs，doughnutsandapplepuffs。Theylookedgoodtome。Alsotherewerepepperandsaltinonepaper，sugarinanother，coffeeinathird，andmilkinabottle。I
　　collectedsomedrychipsandbranchesandpreparedtokindleafire。AsIbentovertheheapofsticksandchipsIheardthesoundofhorses’hoofsinthewoodsnearby。
　　Iwassurprisedandannoyed。TheprincipalcharmofSeaburyPondwasthatsofewpeoplevisitedit。Alsofewerstillknewhowgoodthefishingwasthere。Iwasnotmorethanordinarilyselfish，butIdidnotcaretohavetheplaceoverrunwithexcursionistsfromthecity，whohadnoscruplesastonumberandsizeoffishcaughtandwouldruinthesportastheyhadruineditatotherandbetterknownponds。Thepasserby，whoeverhewas——anativeprobably——
　　would，ifhesawme，askquestionsconcerningmyluck，andbealmostsuretotelleveryonehemet。Ileftmyfireunkindled，steppedbacktotheshadeofthebushesandwaitedinsilence，hopingthedriverwouldgoonwithoutstopping。Therewasnorealroadonthissideofthepond，buttherewasanabandonedwoodtrack，likethatbywhichIhadcome。Thehorsewasapproachingalongthetrack；thesoundsofhoofsandcracklingbranchesgrewplainer。
　　TheoddpartofitwasthatIheardnorattleofwheels。Itwasalmostasifthepersonwasonhorseback。Thisseemedimpossible，becausenooneinDenboroorBayport——nooneIcouldthinkof，atleast——ownedorrodeasaddlehorse。Yetthehoofbeatsgrewlouderandtherewasnosqueak，orjolt，orrattletobearthemcompany。TheycametoapointinthewoodsdirectlyoppositewhereIsatintheshadeofthebushesandtheretheystopped。Thentheyrecommencedandthecrackleofbrancheswaslouderthanever。Therider，whoeverhewas，wascomingdownthebanktothepond。
　　Amomentmoreandthetallswamp—huckleberrybushesattheedgeofthesandybeachpartedandbetweenthemsteppedgingerlyaclean—
　　cut，handsomebrownhorse，whichthrewupitsheadatthesightofthewaterandthentrottedlightlytowardit。Therider，whosatsoeasilyinthesaddle，wasagirl。AndthegirlwasMabelColton！
　　Shedidnotnoticemeatfirst，butgaveherattentiontothehorse。Theanimalwadedintothewatertoitskneesand，inobediencetoapullonthereins，stopped，bentitshead，andbegantodrink。Thentheriderturnedinherseat，lookedabouther，sawtheheapofwoodforthefire，theopenlunchbasket，therodsandlanding—net，and——me。
　　Ihadsteppedfromthebusheswhenshefirstappearedandwasstandingmotionless，staring，Iimagine，likewhatDorindasometimescalledherhusband——a"borngump。"TherewasFateinthis！nodoubtaboutit。ThefurtherIwenttoavoidthisgirl，andthemoreoutlandishandforsakenthespottowhichIfled，thegreaterthecertaintyofourmeeting。Afeelingofhelplessnesscameoverme，asifIwereintheclutchofdestinyandnoeffortofminecouldbreakthatclutch。
　　Foramomentshelookedasifshemightbethinkingthesamething。
　　Shestartedwhenshesawmeandherlipsparted。
　　"Oh！"sheexclaimed，softly。Thenwegazedateachotherwithoutspeaking。
　　Shewasthefirsttorecoverfromthesurprise。Herexpressionchanged。Thelookofalarmcausedbymysuddenappearanceleftherface，butthewonderremained。
　　"Why！Why，Mr。Paine！"shecried。"Isityou？"
　　Isteppedforward。
　　"Why，MissColton！"saidI。
　　Shedrewabreathofrelief。"ItISyou！"shedeclared。"Iwasbeginningtobelieveinhallucinations。Howyoustartledme！Whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"ThatisexactlywhatIwasgoingtoaskyou，"Ireplied。"Iamhereforafishingexcursion。Butwhatbroughtyoutothisout—of—
　　the—wayplace？"
　　Shesmiledandpattedthehorse’sshoulder。"Donherebroughtme，"
　　sheanswered。"HesawthewaterandIknewhewasthirsty，soI
　　camestraightdownthebank。ButIdidn’texpecttofindanyonehere。Ihaven’tseenahorseorahumanbeingforanhour。Whataprettylittlelakethisis。Whatisitsname？"
　　"ItiscalledSeabury’sPond。Howdidyoufindit？"
　　"Ididn’t。Donfoundit。HeandIcameforagallopinthewoodsandIlethimchoosehisownpaths。Ihavebeeninhischargeallthemorning。Ihaven’ttheleastideawhereweare。There，Don！
　　youhavehadenoughandyouaresplashingusdreadfully。Comeback！"
　　Shebackedthehorseoutofthewaterandturnedhisheadtowardthewoods。
　　"Itisgreatfuntobelost，"sheobserved。"Ididn’tsupposeanyonecouldbelostinDenboro。"
　　"Butthisisn’tDenboro。Seabury’sPondisinBayporttownship。"
　　"Isit，really？InBayport？ThenImustbealongwayfromhome。"
　　"Youare；fourmilesandahalf，atleast。Morethanthatovertheroad。"
　　Shelookedatherwatchandfrownedslightly。
　　"Dearme！"shesaid。"Anditisaftertwelvealready。IamperfectlysureIcan’tfindthewaybackintimeforluncheon。"
　　"Ishallbegladtogowithyouandshowyoutheway。"
　　"No，indeed！DonandIwillgethomesafely。Thisisn’tthefirsttimewehavebeenlosttogether，thoughnotonCapeCod。OfcourseIshouldn’tthinkoftakingyoufromyourfishing。Haveyouhadgoodluck？"
　　"Prettyfair。Somebassandtwogood—sizedpickerel。"
　　"Really！Bass？Ididn’tknowtherewereanyabouthere。MayI
　　seethem？"
　　"Certainly。Theyareoverthereinthebushes。"
　　Sheswunglightlydownfromthesaddleand，takingherhorsebythebridle，ledhimtowardthespotwheremycatchlay，coveredwithleavesandwetgrass。Iremovedthecoveringandshebentoverthefish。
　　"Oh，splendid！"sheexclaimed，withenthusiasm。"Thatbigonemustbeathree—pounder。Ienvyyou。Bassfishingisgreatsport。Didyougettheseonafly——thebass，Imean？"
　　"No。Iuseaflyinthespringandfall，butseldominJuneorJuly，here。Thoseweretakenwithlivebait—shrimp。Thepickerelwithminnows。Areyoufondoffishing，MissColton？"
　　"Yes，indeed。Whoa，Don！steady！Yes，IfishagooddealinSeptember，whenweareatourlodgeintheAdirondacks。Troutthere，principally。ButIhavecaughtbassinMaine。IthoughtI
　　mustgiveitupthisyear。Ididnotknowtherewerefish，infreshwater，ontheCape。"
　　"Thereare，afew。Thepeopleaboutherepaynoattentiontothem。
　　Theyscornsuchsmallfry。Codandpollockaremoreintheirline。"
　　"Isupposeso。Butthatisallthebetterforyou，isn’tit？WereyoufishingwhenIinterruptedyou？"
　　"No，Iwasjustgettingreadyforlunch。Myfirewasreadytokindle。"
　　"Fire？Whydidyouneedafire？"
　　"Formycoffee。"
　　"Coffee！Youarealuxuriouspicnicer，Mr。Paine。Hotcoffeeonafishingtrip！andwithoutaguide。Andyouareunfeeling，besides，foryouremindmethatIamveryhungry。Imustgoatonce。HowfaramIfromhome？Fourmiles，didyousay？"
　　"Fourandahalf，ormore，byroad。Andtheroadsarelikethoseyouhavebeentravelingthismorning。Idoubtifyoucouldfindtheway，evenwithyourhorse’shelp。ImustinsistupongoingwithyouasfarasthemainroadbetweenDenboroandBayport。"
　　"Ishallnotpermitit。"
　　"ButIinsist。"
　　Heranswerwasalittlelaugh。Sheputherfootinthestirrupandvaultedtothesaddle。
　　"Yourinsistingisuseless，yousee，"shesaid。"YouareonfootandIhavetheadvantage。No，DonandIwillgoalone，thankyou。
　　Now，willyoupleasetellmetheway？"
　　Ishruggedmyshoulders。"Gobackalongtheroadyoucame，"I
　　said，"untilyoureachthesecond，no，thethird，pathtotheright。Followthattothesecondontheleft。Thenfollowthatfortwohundredyardsorsountil——well，untilyoureachaclumpofbushes，highbushes。Behindtheseisanotherpath，ablindone，andyoumusttakecaretopicktherightclump，becausethereisanotheronewithapathbehinditandthatpathjoinstheroadtoHarniss。IfyoushouldtaketheHarnissroadyouwouldgomilesoutofyourway。TaketheblindpathIspeakofand——"
　　Sheinterruptedme。"Stop！stop！"sheexclaimed；"pleasedon’t。I
　　amabsolutelybewilderedalready。IhadnoideaIwasinsuchamaze。Letmesee！Secondtotheright；thirdtotheleft——"
　　"No，thirdtotherightandsecondtotheleft。"
　　"Andthenthebushesandthechoiceofblindpaths。Don，IseeplainlythatyouandImusttrusttoProvidence。Well，itisfortunatethatthefamilyareaccustomedtomyways。Theywon’tbealarmed，nomatterhowlateImaybe。"
　　"MissColton，Iamnotgoingtoallowyoutogoalone。OfcourseI
　　amnot。Icansetyouontherightroadandgetbackhereinplentyoftimeforfishing。Thefisharenothungryinthemiddleoftheday。"
　　"No，butyouare。Iknowyoumustbe，because——no，goodday，Mr。
　　Paine。"