familiar fashion I cannot well rebuke him, papa and he are such
friends.'

'Then do you permit _me_ to call you Aster?'

'O indeed, I wish that you would do it; and all the time.' As she
said this her eyes brightened.

'Thanks, Aster. I now feel that I am on equal footing with the rest.
You are sure that you will not mind me Astering you before
_him_? Doing it frequently?'

'Not a bit. I shall be pleased; I shall be _very much_ pleased,
because he seemed to take a pleasure in being familiar before you.
And we are not such great friends after all.'

'You most not talk nonsense, Aster. It would never do to allow
yonder well-tilled acres, that sumptuous dwelling, all those flocks
of sheep, and herds of sleek cattle to pass into the hands of any
other girl. Imagine pulling down the boundary line and joining the
two farms into one! Imagine how your "guv'nor"--as this well-bred Mr.
Ham styles him--would open his eyes if any other person should nave
the temerity to ask for Miss Aster.'

'Then would you be really glad to see these two farms joined in one?
To see me marry Mr. Ham?' Her tremulous eyes questioned his face
eagerly. When she began her queries there was in them a flash of
mocking mirth; but that had disappeared, and there was now only to be
observed a grave, questioning expression there.