"But you forget he has not yet invited me."

"Dawn, ask Miss Vernon whether she will take a walk with us, or go
to church?" said Mr. Wyman, at that moment calling from the foot of
the stairs.

Miss Vernon was not long in making known her choice, for she sprang
and put on her hat, and in a few moments the three were walking
through the garden towards the woods and fields.

"Which direction, Miss Vernon, shall we take?"

"Any; it's all lovely."

"Then lead the way, Dawn, and mind you act as a good pilot, and do
not get us into any brooks."

She ran gaily on before, and they soon found themselves on the verge
of a rich, mossy dell.

"O, is it not beautiful, papa? I shall carry all this lovely moss
home."

"No, Dawn, let it remain. Gather a few specimens from here and
there, but do not mar the general beautiful effect. It is ours now;
we can not make it more so by carrying it home to fade and die. Can
we, darling?"

"No. You are always right and good, papa."