think that for a moment. But they--well, I
won't try to describe them. Many people from the Old World would never
understand what they really are, or their point of view; but you will,
Lady Betty. You are quick, and sympathetic, and intelligent; and when I
ask you to define for me the difference between the farmers of Ohio, as
typified by my cousins and their neighbours in Summer County, I shall
be surprised if you don't exactly hit the nail on the head. They'll
surprise you a little at first, I warn you, and for about ten minutes
maybe you won't know what to make of them. But I count on you to see
the point in spite of all your traditions."

"What have my traditions got to do with it?" I asked.

"Wait and see."

I laughed. "Well, I only wish I knew what my traditions are," said I.
"I suppose I ought to know, but I don't think I do."

"You may feel them prickling up and down your spine for a bit, while
you're getting used to a new order of things at the Valley Farm,"
answered Mr. Brett. "And yet I don't know. I shall be enormously
interested in watching the effect upon you, before I--have to say
good-bye."

I forgot everything else he had been saying when I heard that last
sentence.

"Will you have to say good-bye soon?" I asked in a crestfallen voice.

He didn't speak for a minute, perhaps on account of a series of bumps
in the road which, though so pretty, was much worse for driving than
any I have seen at home. I don't believe Englishmen would stand it.
They would keep writing to _The Times_ and signing their letters
"Motorist," or "Sportsman," or "Mother of Ten Cyclists," till somebody
was forced to do something.

At last he said, "To tell you the truth, Lady Betty, I should like to
stop and pay my cousins a little visit, but--I don't know if I have a
right to."

"Oh, why not?" I asked. "Wouldn't they be delighted to keep you?"

"Perhaps. I hope so. But what about you?"

"If it depended one bit on me, you'd make a _long_ visit."

"Wouldn't you really mind seeing me hanging around--sometimes? Just at
meals, you know--or to take you a drive once in awhile?"

I looked at him merrily through my talc window, for I felt happy and
light-hearted, and the world seemed such a very nice place to live in
at that moment.

"Do you truly need to have me answer that question?" I asked. "If you
do, we can't be real friends as I thought, after all."

"You say that because you are kind--too kind to have reflected e