"Still you know, though you will not be here to steal the plums, other people will be enjoying them; and you can leave word with the gardener to send your friend, little Blanche Somerton, the first basket of ripe cherries."
"I really do not know any person of that name," said Mr. Gage, indignantly.
"Well, after that!" said Harriet lifting up her hands. "Hubert, I hope you saw what was going on this morning."
"Oh, yes! I saw plainly enough," said Hubert. "She is a great flirt, that little thing; and rather pretty, I think."
"Very pretty!" said Harriet magnanimously. "I was not blaming Mr. Gage. I merely suggested a little offering—quite a cottage offering Mr. Gage."
"Oh! the little creature who was here this morning," said Mr. Gage; "rather a nice little creature! Yes, I should not object taking her a basket of cherries."
"You could eat them with her like Napoleon, you know," said Harriet.
Here Hubert burst into a violent fit of laughter, at the idea of his brother doing anything like Napoleon.
"She is a very pretty girl," said Captain Gage, joining in the discussion. "Did not you dance with her a good deal at the ball, Hubert?"
"Yes, Sir, that is, I believe, once or twice. That miserable ball," he added in a low voice to Margaret.