"I would like Howells to have a house there. We must try to give that to
Howells."
At the foot of the hill we came to a brook and followed it into a meadow. I told him that I had often caught fine trout there, and that soon I would bring in some for breakfast. He answered:
"Yes, I should like that. I don't care to catch them any more myself. I like them very hot."
We passed through some woods and came out near my own ancient little house. He noticed it and said:
"The man who built that had some memory of Greece in his mind when he put on that little porch with those columns."
My second daughter, Frances, was coming from a distant school on the evening train, and the carriage was starting just then to bring her. I suggested that perhaps he would find it pleasant to make the drive.
"Yes," he agreed, "I should enjoy that."
So I took the reins, and he picked up little Joy, who came running out just then, and climbed into the back seat. It was another beautiful evening, and he was in a talkative humor. Joy pointed out a small turtle in the road, and he said:
"That is a wild turtle. Do you think you could teach it arithmetic?"
Joy was uncertain.