“It is a grand idea—grand! oh! so grand!”
“Pray let’s hear it, and don’t make quite such an excitement!” said the young hunter, feeling some embarrassment at the attention which was being drawn in his direction.
“It is grand—a grand idea, worth forty thousand droves of such sheep as I lost; bound to make Professor Swipes and the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the Youths of Both Sexes famous from one end of the country to the other. What do you think of the idea, Mr. Wainwright?”
“I can tell better when I know what it is.”
“At the head of the ladies’ department, I will place, whom do you ’spose?”
“Araminta, your beloved in Connecticut.”
“N—no!” was the somewhat hesitating response. “I propose to place Miss Florence Brandon! Aint that grand?”
“You mean the young lady who is a member of this party?”
“Certainly; who else could there be?”
“But you must remember, my good friend, that the consent of herself and father is to be gained in this matter, before you would be warranted in publishing her as the head of your department for the instruction of young ladies.”