that curtained the road.

"The Linwoods!" said Richard, glancing merrily at the tin pail, which
shone so conspicuously bright in the sunshine. "You must have heard of
them?"

"Never."

"Not heard of the new-comers! Haven't you heard that Mrs. Linwood has
purchased the famous old Grandison Place, that has stood so long in
solitary grandeur, had it fitted up in modern style, and taken
possession of it for a country residence? Is it possible that you are
such a little nun, that you have heard nothing of this?"

"I go nowhere; no one comes to see us; I might as well be a nun."

"But at school?"

"I have not been since last autumn. But that fair, beautiful young lady,
is she a daughter of Mrs. Linwood?"

"She is,--Edith Linwood. Rather a romantic name, is it not? Do you think
her beautiful?"

"The loveliest creature I ever looked upon. I should be quite miserable
if I thought I never should look upon her again. And you know her,--she
bowed to you. How sorry I am she should see you performing such an
humble office for a little rustic like me!"

"She will think none the worse of me for it. If she did, I should
despise her. But she is no heartless belle,--Edith Linwood is not. She
is an angel of goodness and sweetness, if all they say of her be true. I
do not know her very well. She has a brother with whom I am slightly
acquainted, and through him I have been introduced into the family. Mrs.
Linwood is a noble, excellent woman,--I wish you knew her. I wish you
knew Edith,--I wish you knew them all. They would appreciate you. I am
sure they would."

"_I_ know them!" I exclaimed, glancing at our lowly cottage, my simple
dress, and contrasting them mentally with the lordly dwelling and costly
apparel of these favorites of nature and of fortune. "They appreciate
_me_!"

"I suppose you think Edith Linwood the most enviable of human beings.
Rich, lovely, with the power of gratifying every wish, and of dispensing
every good, she would gladly exchange this moment with you, and dip
water from yon bubbling spring."

"Impossible!" I cried. "How can she help being happy?"

"She does seem happy, but she is lame, and her health is very delicate.
She cannot walk one step without crutches, on which she swings herself
along very lightly and gracefully, it is true; but think you not she
would not give all her wealth to be able to walk with your bounding
steps, and have your elastic frame?"

"Crutches!" said I, sorrowfully, "w