figure of the overseer of meeting in his broad hat and drab clothes. On
the way the German plucked a dozen scarlet roses, a late geranium or two
and a few leaves of motley Poinsetta.

Wholesome paused a moment to greet quietly the new-comer, and
straightway betook himself absently to his walk again to and fro across
the garden. Mistress White would have had the old overseer take her
seat, but this he would not do. He stood a moment near her, as if
irresolute, while Schmidt threw himself down on the sward, and, half
turning over, tossed roses into the gray lap of Mistress White, saying,
"How prettily the God of heaven has dressed them!"

Mistress White took up the flowers, not answering the challenge, but
glancing under her long lashes at the ex-captain, to whom presently the
overseer turned, saying, "Would thee give me a word or two with thee by
ourselves, Richard?"

"There are none in the parlor," said Priscilla, "if thee will talk
there."

"If," said Wholesome, "it be of business, let it wait till to-morrow,
and I will call upon thee: I am not altogether myself to-day."

"Nay," said Nicholas, gathering himself up a little, "thee must know
theeself that I would not come to thee here for business: thee knows my
exactness in such matters."

"And for what, then, are you come?" said Wholesome with unusual
abruptness.