"It is hard to condemn me for such unintentional mischief; but since I am to experience so much future remorse on account of your morning visits, I shall take upon myself the responsibility of forbidding them."
"Oh, you wouldn't be so unkind!--especially after all the pains I have taken to impart to you the little I know of horticulture."
"Very little I think it must have been; or I have but a poor memory," said Gertrude, laughing.
"Have you forgotten the pains I took yesterday to acquaint you with the different varieties of roses? Don't you remember how much I had to say of damask roses and damask bloom; and how before I finished, I could not find words enough in praise of blushes, especially such sweet and natural ones as met my eyes while I was speaking?"
"I know you talked a great deal of nonsense. I hope you don't think I listened to it all."
"Oh, Miss Gertrude! It is of no use to say flattering things to you; you always regard my compliments as jokes."
"I have told you, several times, that it was most useless to waste so much flattery upon me. I am glad you are beginning to realise it."
"Well, then, to ask a serious question, where were you this morning at half-past seven?"
"Is it possible?--so early! Why, I thought you went at ten. Then, all the time I was watching by the garden wall to say good-morning, you were half-a-dozen miles away. I wish I had not wasted that hour so; I might have spent it in sleeping."
"And then half-an-hour more here this evening! How came you to keep me waiting so long?"
"I was not aware of doing so. I certainly did not take your visit to myself."
"My visit certainly was not meant for anyone else."
"Ben," said Mr. Graham, approaching rather abruptly, and taking part in the conversation, "are you fond of gardening? I thought I heard you just now speaking of roses?"
"Yes, sir; Miss Flint and I were having quite a discussion upon flowers--roses especially."
Gertrude, availing herself of Mr. Graham's approach, tried to escape and join the ladies at the sofa; but Mr. Bruce, who had risen on Mr. Graham's addressing him, saw her intention, and frustrated it by placing himself in the way, so that she could not pass him without positive rudeness. Mr. Graham continued, "I propose placing a small fountain in the vicinity of Miss Flint's flower garden; won't you walk down with me, and give your opinion of my plan?"