"O he wouldn't mind if he was told," said Fleda. "He does everything just as he has a mind to, and nobody can hinder him. Yes--they've cleared the trees--I thought so."
"Don't you know of any other trees that are out of this Mr. Didenhover's way?"
"Yes," said Fleda,--"I know a place where there used to be beautiful hickory trees, and some chestnuts too, I think; but it is too far off for grandpa, and I couldn't go there alone. This is the twenty-acre lot," said she, looking though she did not say it, "Here I leave you."
"I am glad to hear it," said her cousin. "Now give us our directions, Fleda, and thank you for your services."
"Stop a minute," said Mr. Carleton. "What if you and I should try to find those same hickory trees, Miss Fleda? Will you take me with you?--or is it too long a walk?"
"For me?--oh no!" said Fleda with a face of awakening hope; "but," she added timidly, "you were going a shooting, sir?"
"What on earth are you thinking of, Carleton?" said young Rossitur. "Let the nuts and Fleda alone, do!"
"By your leave, Mr. Rossitur," said Carleton. "My murderous intents have all left me, Miss Fleda,--I suppose your wand has been playing about me--and I should like nothing better than to go with you over the hills this morning. I have been a nutting many a time in my own woods at home, and I want to try it for once in the New World. Will you take me?"
"O thank you, sir!" said Fleda,--"but we have passed the turning a long way--we must go back ever so far the same way we came to get to the place where we turn off to go up the mountain."
"I don't wish for a prettier way,--if it isn't so far as to tire you, Fairy?"
"Oh it won't tire me!" said Fleda overjoyed.
"Carleton!" exclaimed young Kossitur. "Can you be so absurd! Lose this splendid day for the woodcock when we may not have another while we are here!"
"You are not a true sportsman, Mr. Rossitur," said the other coolly, "or you would know what it is to have some sympathy with the sports of others. But _you_ will have the day for the woodcock, and bring us home a great many I hope. Miss Fleda, suppose we give this impatient young gentleman his orders and despatch him."
"I thought you were more of a sportsman," said the vexed West Pointer,--"or your sympathy would be with me."