metimes coming to view Miss
Etty's employment, as if it were a branch of industry she was
unacquainted with, and curious about.

The maples are turning red already. The setting sun threw a glorious
light through their tinted foliage, and the still bosom of the lake
reflected it in a softened, changeable hue of mingled crimson and
silver. Flora was standing at the door. I somehow found myself there
also; but I talked over my shoulder to Aunt Tabitha about potatoes.

"I have a fancy for a walk round the pond," said Flora. After a pause,
she looked at me, as much as to say, "Don't you see, you monster, it
is too late for me to go alone?"

"Miss Flora, I will second your wish, if you can drum up a third
party," said I, point-blank.

Flora blushed, and pouted for a moment, then beckoned to Little Ugly,
who disobligingly suggested that the grass would be wet. It so
happened there was no dew, and Flora convinced her of the fact by
running in the grass, and then presenting the sole of her shoe for her
inspection. Miss Etty, her ill-chosen objection being vanquished, went
for her bonnet, and we set forth, Miss Flora's arm in mine as a matter
of course, and Miss Etty's in hers, save where the exigencies of the
woodland path gave her an excuse to drop behind. A little boat tied to
a stump, suggested to Flora a new whim. Instead of going round the
pond, which I now began to like doing, I must weary myself with rowing
her across. I was ready enough to do it, however, had not Miss Etty
quietly observed that the pond was muddy, and the boat unseaworthy.
Flora would not have yielded to twenty feet of water,--but mud! She
sighed, and resumed my arm. I, offering the other to Miss Etty in so
determined a way, that she could not waive accepting it, marched
forward with spirits rising into high glee and loquacity. Presently,
feeling a sudden irritation at the feather-like lightness with which
Little Ugly's fingers just touched my elbow, as if she disdained any
support from me, I caught her hand and drew it through my arm, and
when I relinquished it, pressed her arm to my side with mine, thinking
she would snatch it away, and walk alone in offended dignity. Whether
she was too really dignified for that, or took my rebuke as it was
intended, I know not, but she leaned on my arm with somewhat greater
confidence during the remainder of our walk, and now and then even
volunteered a remark. Before we finished the circumambulation of the
pond