At this moment my father and Mr. Shepherd came around from the orchard, and Barker bowed low on being presented. I thought Mr. Shepherd regretted he had not known Barker was so polite, as he could have shown something in that line himself; but they got on very well together, and were soon talking like old friends. We sat there for an hour or more, listening to their easy and cultured conversation, and it occurred to me, with renewed force, that Fairview was getting out of its old ways. Mr. Shepherd promised to visit him, the invitation having been extended, and my mother and the minister’s wife coming out later the party was so agreeable that I wondered we could not have more of it instead of the discontent which usually oppressed us. Hearing our peals of laughter, I hoped Bragg regretted he had not been in better humor and joined the company; but he never looked that way, and pretended to be occupied with himself.
“You have never been inside of Fairview church, Damon,” my father said to him, quite familiarly, late in the afternoon; “won’t you come to-night?”
“I will walk on with Ned,” Barker replied, good-naturedly, and rising, “and think of it after I reach the cross roads; I see it is almost time to start.”
After taking his leave of all of them in a courteous way, I walked with him along the path leading across the field, my father excusing me from further attendance for that purpose.
We proceeded quite leisurely, as there was no hurry, and after we had walked a considerable distance my companion said:—
“A very pretty girl, and intelligent enough, but weak. She could be coaxed into anything. They say that is true of all light-haired women.”
I did not know whether he meant Agnes or Mateel, so I inquired, “Who?”
“The one you call Mateel. She has a pretty face, but were I inclined to criticise such a delightful girl I should say she lacks decision. The other one hardly spoke to me. What is it they call her?”
“Agnes.”
“The school-teacher, I believe. She is very much of a woman, though evidently young. I admire her more than the other one. Do her people live here?”