"I have but just arrived. I've come down for a flying visit to Miss Berry."
"Jus' so. I've jus' come from there, as I said. You hain't been down in years, have you?"
"It is a long time for me to stay away from Pearfield. Good"—
"Loviny didn't say a word about expectin' you," said Miss Ann curiously. "Do you still like lawyerin'?"
"Yes, I like it. Good evening, Miss Getchell." He lifted his hat; then as though compunction prompted the act, he advanced a step and shook Miss Ann's limp hand. He was recalling that she had been kind to him in a past when the quality of apples was not material, and the fruit on her gnarly little trees had seemed desirable.
"Good evenin'," she answered. "Come and see me if you're stayin' long enough."
"Thank you. I return to Boston almost immediately."
The young man pursued his way, relieved to be free again to give all his attention to the soft summer sky where the light was fading; to the bird-notes which were becoming disconnected and dreamy; to the scents which rose gratefully from willows, and the thorny luxuriance of vines that rioted over the stone wall at the roadside.
Miss Berry was still lingering at her gate when he approached the house. She dropped her hands from her elbows and grasped the pickets of the fence at sight of the face under the lifted hat.
"Why, Mr. Gorham!" she exclaimed, and opened the gate, her countenance alight with pleased surprise. "I was just thinkin' about you this minute, as I was standin' here."