placid content those ruminating cows are under that sunny shed. See
the pranks of that colt which the boy is trying to lead to water.
I wish I were on his back, with the prairie before me."

"Indeed, are you so anxious to escape present company?"

"Now I didn't say that. But we have passed by, and I fear you did
not see the pretty rural picture to which I called your attention.
Were I an artist I would know where to make a sketch to-day."

"I think you will find that Miss Marsdeo's taste differs very
widely from yours," said De Forrest; "that is, if you give us to
understand that you would seek your themes in a barn-yard, and set
your easel upon a muck-heap. Though your pictures might not rank
high they would still be very rank."

Even Lottie joined slightly in the general and not complimentary
laugh at Hemstead which followed this thrust, but he, with heightened
color, said, "You cannot criticise my picture, Mr. De Forrest, for
it does not exist. Therefore I must conclude that your satire is
directed against my choice of place and subjects."

"Yes, as with the offence of Denmark's king, they 'smell to heaven.'"

"I appeal to you, Miss Marsden, was not the scent of hay and the
breath of the cattle as we caught them passing, sweet and wholesome?"

"I cannot deny that they were."

"You have judicial fairness and shall be umpire in this question.