There was supper and music after that, and Fan’s return, and the next day papa invited him to go over the river with him, as he had a horse and wagon. Consequently I saw nothing of him until evening. Mamma asked me to take some grapes to a sick parishioner.
“Allow me to accompany you;” he said, getting his hat.
It was very foolish but I could not help the color coming into my face as we walked down the path. He had such a grown-up, gentlemanly air; he opened the gate and closed it again, and took the outside of the walk and glanced at me in a kind of protecting fashion.
“Do you know that you are very little?” he began presently.
“Fully five feet.”
“But then I am getting to be such a great fellow!”
I looked at him and laughed.
“What now?” and he colored suddenly.
“I was thinking—of something so absurd! Fan used to accuse me of preaching—”
“And very good sermons they were. I may want you to preach again.”