“The top is about as uneven in height as a set of dinner casters, so we will give up the mansard roof. But do have a bay window and some balconies,” said Elva.
“Perhaps,” repeated Odalite.
So talking they reached the bridge crossing Chincapin Creek, with its fringe of richly laden bushes, and stopped to gather the nuts.
It took but a little while to fill all their baskets, after which they continued their homeward walk.
They reached Mondreer late in the afternoon.
Their father had returned from the courthouse. Their mother had recovered from her headache. And the delayed dinner was served.
During the meal, which at Mondreer was always a merry one, the talk still ran upon Greenbushes and its present and prospective attractions.
Col. Anglesea took little part in the conversation, but he listened and smiled.
After dinner, and during the long winter evening that followed, he vainly sought an opportunity of speaking alone with Mrs. Force.
He did not fail because she shunned him, but because the little party kept together in the most persistent way, and he certainly could not ask Mrs. Force in the presence of all her family, to give him a private interview. He must wait his opportunity.