"Of course, Miss Hyde; I never have any secrets—that's just what I was saying to Cora, this morning."
"Never mind Cora."
"But I do; she's worth minding, and so's her mistress. Mrs. Babylon and I are alike in one thing—we are both fond of fresh air."
"Indeed! You seem well acquainted with the lady's tastes."
"Well, I may say I am; and you needn't take the trouble to contradict! Acquainted with them? Well, if I ain't, I flatter myself there's nobody in our house that is."
I did not answer; the girl's conversation was too quaint and amusing even to sound impertinent, still, I did not wish to encourage her by any sign of approval.
"Miss Hyde," she asked, "did you see any strange birds in the woods?"
"None, Lottie."
"Buy a pair of spectacles, Miss Hyde; don't put it off a day longer! I tell you, out yonder there's two birds well worth watching;—the queerest part is, that it's the female that sings—ain't she a red fellar?"
"I saw Mrs. Dennison and Mr. Lawrence, if you mean them," I replied.