The encouragement which such attentions received was not much; nor could it be regarded as a very safe foundation on which to build hope for the future, yet he did not feel altogether without warrant for so doing.
So when, one evening after the work of the day was over, as the twilight was deepening, and Mary was standing at the entrance to the dairy, watching the stars as they one by one made themselves visible, Barton's approach was all unnoticed until he was close upon her.
"What, star-gazing, my lass?" he exclaimed.
"Well, what if I was, Mr. Impudence," she retorted.
"Oh, nothing," he replied, somewhat at a loss what to say.
"It's a lovely night for star-gazing, as you call it," she added, with a little less asperity in her tones, as if to make amends for the sharpness of her previous retort.
"Haven't seen many better," replied Barton.
"You'd scarcely guess how my thought was then running?"
"If you tell me, I shall know without the trouble."
"I was back in my childhood, and thinking of that sweet little couplet auntie used to repeat so often—