e the scene
before them.

"Lacks a fraction of being ten miles square."

"It's all trees," said little Will.

"Wooden country, eh, my little man?"

"Country! yes, it's more like the country than like a town," said Harry.

"Well, yes. On this side of the water, we can afford to have our towns,
as big as some folks' countries," said Mr Snow, gravely.

"But it's like no town I ever saw," said Norman. "There are no streets,
no shops, no market, no anything that makes a town."

"There's freedom on them hills," said Mr Snow, waving his hand with an
air.

During the journey the other day, Mr Snow and the lads had discussed
many things together; among the rest, the institutions of their
respective countries, and Mr Snow had, as he expressed it, "Set their
British blood to bilin'," by hints about "aristocracy", "despotism," and
so on. "He never had had such a good time," he said, afterwards. They
were a little fiery, but first-rate smart boys, and as good natured as
kittens, and he meant to see to them. He meant to amuse himself with
them too, it seemed. The boys fired up at once, and a hot answer was
only arrested on their lips, by the timely interference of Graeme.

"Whist, Norman. Harry, mind it is the Sabbath-day, and look yonder is
papa coming up with Judge Merle," and turning smilingly to Mr Snow, she
added, "We like the place very much. It's beautiful everywhere. It's
far bonnier than a town. I'm glad there's no town, and so are the boys,
though they were disappointed at first."

"No town?" repeated Mr Snow.

But there was no time for explanations. Their father had reached the
steps, and the children were replying to the greeting of the Judge.
Judge Merle, was in the opinion of the majority, the greatest man in
Merleville, if not in the country. The children had made his
acquaintance on Saturday. He had brought them with his own hands,
through the rain, a pail of sweet milk, and another of hominy, a
circumstance which gave them a high idea of his kindness of heart, but
which sadly overturned all their preconceived notions with regard to the
dignity of his office. Janet, who looked on the whole thing as a proper
tribute of respect to the minister, augured well from it, what he might
expect in his new parish, and congratulated herself accordingly. The
children were glad to see him, among the many strangers around them, and
when Mr Snow gave him a familiar nod, and a "Morning Judge," Graeme
felt