"You are right," said Mr. Tom. "My very coming will give them pause. And now I want to see the girl."
"What for?" asked Mrs. Easterfield.
"I want to get acquainted with her. I don't know her yet, and I can't talk to her if I don't know her."
"Are you going to talk to her about Hemphill?"
"Yes, for one thing," he answered.
"Well," said she, "you will have to be very circumspect. She is both alert, and sensitive."
"Oh, I'll be circumspect enough," he replied. "You may trust me for that."
It was not long after this that Mrs. Easterfield, being engaged in some hospitable duties, sent Olive to show Mr. Tom the garden, and it was rather a slight to that abode of beauty that the tour of the rose-lined paths occupied but a very few minutes, when Mr. Easterfield became tired, and desired to sit down. Having seated themselves on Mrs. Easterfield's favorite bench, Olive looked up at her companion, and asked:
"Well, sir, what is it you brought me here to say to me?"
Mr. Tom laughed, and so did she.