ent perishing to
bed. It was Patty who saw all, but was too shy to speak to you. This
humble offering is her thought. You shan't be starved after to-night.
There was a question of mine you didn't answer this afternoon. I've got
a grudge against that black and white steer."

I couldn't think what he meant at first. Then I remembered how he had
been asking my opinion about the love affairs of Mohunsleigh's
millionaire friend. I don't see, though, why he should care so much
what I think of them. It would be lots more interesting if he would ask
me questions about himself.

XVIII

ABOUT SOME COUNTRY FOLK, AND WALKER'S EMPORIUM

The day after I came to Valley Farm was one of the longest days of my
life. Not that it wasn't pleasant, for it was. But when you get up
before six, and finish breakfast at seven, it does give you a good many
hours to do what you like with.

I wasn't allowed to help Mrs. Trowbridge and the girls with their work;
Mr. Brett went off directly after breakfast with Mr. Trowbridge and the
two mysterious young men, to get in hay or do something useful and
farmy, so I sat in the maple grove with Vivace (who is a great
favourite in the household) and wrote down all my experiences since
Chicago. We had an enormous dinner at twelve, which made me feel very
odd, as I'm not used to it; but when we were called to "tea" I knew
better than I did yesterday what to expect.

Now, I've been a boarder at the Trowbridges' (I pay four dollars a
week, about as much, I suppose, as is spent on one person's food at
each meal at Mrs. Ess Kay's!) for eight days, and I'm perfectly happy.
I can't bear to think of the time coming when I must go home. It will
come, of course, for they will have to send for me whether they really
want me back or not, and then I will never see any of these dear people
again. Probably I shall never even see Mr. Brett. He says he must go
West again soon, that there are things which call him there. That will
be the end. I wish one didn't get to depend on other people so much. I
should like to be quite cold hearted, and not care for anyone; then it
wouldn't matter when you had to part. But there's no use in thinking
about horrid things just yet.

I've written home, of course. I wrote the day after I arrived. At
first, I felt I ought to cable; but if I did, they might send at once,
and on second thoughts I decided it wasn't necessary to go to the
expense. So I just wrote to Mother to say I