"Why, to tell you the truth, Patty Coverdale has promised. As for
Miss Holmes, if she won't, why you must leave her at home with
mamma. But Kate and Patty can't come without you."

"Your discretion has found that out, has it?"

"They say so. But you will come; won't you, Bessy? As for waiting,
it's all nonsense. Of course you can walk on. But we'll be at the
stile by five. I've got my watch, you know." And then Bessy
promised him. What would she not have done for him that was in her
power to do?

"Go! Of course I'll go," said Miss Holmes. "I'm up to anything.
I'd have gone with them this morning, and have taken a gun if they'd
asked me. But, by-the-bye, I'd better not."

"Why not?" said Patty, who was hardly yet without fear lest
something should mar the expedition.

"What will three gentlemen do with four ladies?"

"Oh, I forgot," said Patty innocently.

"I'm sure I don't care," said Kate; "you may have Harry if you
like."

"Thank you for nothing," said Miss Holmes. "I want one for myself.
It's all very well for you to make the offer, but what should I do
if Harry wouldn't have me? There are two sides, you know, to every