ight. The
cigar burned out and he was about to go, when he heard the ripple of
skirts on the soft grass. A woman came across the sward, and in the
light of a neighboring lantern Lyman recognized Eva. She saw him and
halted.

"Won't you please sit down," he said, rising.

"I--I--didn't know you were here," she replied, looking back.

"The fact that you came is proof enough of that," said he, with a
quiet laugh.

"How shrewd you are," she replied.

"No, I am only considerate. But now that you are here, won't you
please sit down. I am weary of senseless chatter, and I would like to
talk to you."

"Oh, I couldn't refuse, after such a compliment as that. And, besides,
I am tired."

She sat down; he continued to stand. She did not appear to notice it.

"I looked all over the ground, but could not find you," he said.

"Mamma and I did not come until just now. We live so near that we put
off our coming until late."

"Did your father come?"

"No. Only mamma and I. Some of us had to come."

"Just you and your mother, and not Mr. Sawyer?"

"He didn't come with us. I don't know that he is here." For a few
moments they were silent. "I am so tired of everything," she said.

"Tired of yourself?"

"Yes, I am."

"Why don't you do something? Did you ever think of that?"

"What would be the use of thinking of it? There's nothing for me to
do."

"There is something for everyone to do. Why don't you take up some
line of study?"

"I hate study. I can't put my mind on it."

"But you could read good books."

"I do, but I get tired. I must have been petted too much."

"Ah! A girl is beginning to be strong when she feels that way. I
suppose you have been flattered all your life."

"Do I show it?"

"Yes. But not so much as you did."

"And do you know the reason?"

"I don't know, unless it is that you have been sobered by a joke."

"That has something to do with it. You have made me think. You don't
regard me as a spoiled child; you seem to believe that I have a mind.
And that, even if you were a field hand, would cause me to be
interested in you. I would like to talk with you seriously, but you
joke with me."

"To hear you in a serious mood would be as sweet as an anthem."

"You must not talk that way. I want your friendship."

"You shall have it."

"I need your help."

"You shall have it."

"I don't want to be wicked," she said, looking up at him, "but I beg
of you not to sign that petition to the C