"I am the Swiss through whose fault the steer came near doing you a great injury. It is inexplicable to me, even now, how the animal got loose. But Falk is very cunning. I cannot be too watchful of him. His head is full of schemes; and before you can turn around, he has played one of his tricks. The chain has a clasp with a latch, and how he broke it, he only knows."
"It is all right," replied Frank. "I believe you are not to blame."
"I am not to blame about the chain. But I am for the door being open, Miss Angela said; and she is perfectly right. Therefore, I beg your pardon and promise you that nothing of the kind shall happen in future."
"The pardon is granted, on condition that you guard the steer better."
"Miss Angela said that too; and she required me to ask your pardon, which I have done."
Angela stood in the garden, hidden behind the rose-bushes, and heard, smiling, the conversation.
As Frank passed over the yard, she came from the garden carrying a basketful of vegetables. At the same time a harvest-wagon, loaded with rapes and drawn by four horses, came into the yard.
"Your industry extends to the garden also, Miss Angela," said Frank, "Now I know no branch of housekeeping that you cannot take a part in."
"My work is, however, insignificant," she returned. "In a large house there is always a great deal to do, and every one must try to be useful."
"Your garden deserves all praise," continued Richard, eyeing the contents of the baskets. "What magnificent peas and beans!"